Luer lock adaptor

ABSTRACT

A luer lock adaptor including a housing defining an axis, an internal luer lock element having a threading, the internal luer lock element being located internally of the housing and being rotatably mounted thereto for rotation about the axis relative to the housing, in a manner which permits rotation of the luer lock element relative to the housing in a first rotation direction about the axis and limits rotation of the luer lock element relative to the housing in a second rotation direction about the axis, opposite to the first rotation direction, whereby the location of the internal luer lock element internally of the housing prevents manual access to the internal luer lock element for limiting rotation thereof in the first rotation direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to medical connectors generally and moreparticularly to luer lock adaptors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of luer lock adaptors are known in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved luer lock adaptor.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, a luer lock adaptor including a housing defining anaxis, an internal luer lock element having a threading, the internalluer lock element being located internally of the housing and beingrotatably mounted thereto for rotation about the axis relative to thehousing, in a manner which permits rotation of the luer lock elementrelative to the housing in a first rotation direction about the axis andlimits rotation of the luer lock element relative to the housing in asecond rotation direction about the axis, opposite to the first rotationdirection, whereby the location of the internal luer lock elementinternally of the housing prevents manual access to the internal luerlock element for limiting rotation thereof in the first rotationdirection.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention anexternal luer lock element can be threadably locked to the internal luerlock element in frictional threaded engagement therewith by rotation ofthe external luer lock element in the second rotation direction inthreading engagement with the internal luer lock element, since rotationof the internal luer lock element in the second rotation direction islimited and subsequent to locking of the external luer lock element tothe internal luer lock element, the external luer lock element cannot bethreadably disconnected from the internal luer lock element by rotationof the external luer lock element in the first rotation direction, sincerotation of the internal luer lock in the first rotation direction isnot limited and since the frictional engagement between the externalluer lock element and the internal luer lock element causes the internalluer lock element to rotate in the first rotation direction togetherwith the external luer lock element when the external luer lock elementis rotated in the first rotation direction.

Preferably, the housing includes a forward housing portion defining aport connection end and a rearward housing portion defining a luerconnection end. Additionally, the forward housing portion and therearward housing portion are fixedly attached to each other so as toprevent both relative axial movement and relative azimuthal movementtherebetween with respect to the axis.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention theluer lock adaptor also includes a septa housing portion disposed withinthe forward housing portion. Additionally, the luer lock adaptor alsoincludes a compression spring which urges the septa housing forwardlywith respect to the internal luer lock element.

Preferably, the internal luer lock element includes a hub element,including a female luer connector portion at a rearward-facing endthereof. Additionally, the hub element includes, at a forward-facing endthereof, a needle mounting portion and a needle having a sharp tip ismounted onto the needle mounting portion and extends axially forwardlyalong the axis into the forward housing portion, such that in theabsence of a port connection, the sharp tip of the needle is locatedwithin the septa housing.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention thehousing and the internal luer lock element each include ratchet-typeportions which cooperate to permit free rotation of the internal luerlock element relative to the housing about the axis in the firstrotation direction and limit rotation of the internal luer lock elementrelative to the housing in the second rotation direction. Additionally,the ratchet-type portions include at least one toothed edge formed onthe housing and at least one toothed edge formed on the internal luerlock element, the at least one toothed edge formed on the internal luerlock element being arranged to cooperate with the at least one toothededge formed on the housing for limiting relative rotation about the axisbetween the internal luer lock element and the housing in the secondrotation direction.

Preferably, the at least one toothed edge formed on the internal luerlock element and the at least one toothed edge formed on the housingeach include a single toothed edge. Alternatively, the at least onetoothed edge formed on the internal luer lock element and the at leastone toothed edge formed on the housing each include a pair of toothededges.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention theinternal luer lock element is axially displaceable along the axisrelative to the housing between a first relative axial position and asecond relative axial position and the at least one toothed edge formedon the housing and at least one toothed edge formed on the internal luerlock element cooperate for limiting relative rotation about the axisbetween the internal luer lock element and the housing in the secondrotation direction when the internal luer lock element is in either ofthe first relative axial position and the second relative axialposition. Additionally, the at least one toothed edge formed on thehousing and at least one toothed edge formed on the internal luer lockelement cooperate for permitting relative rotation about the axisbetween the internal luer lock element and the housing in the firstrotation direction when the internal luer lock element is in anyposition relative to the housing between and including the firstrelative axial position and the second relative axial position.

Preferably, the ratchet-type portions include at least one radiallyextending tooth formed on at least one of the housing and the internalluer lock element and at least one socket formed on another of thehousing and the internal luer lock element for limiting relativerotation about the axis between the internal luer lock element and thehousing in the second rotation direction. Additionally, the at least oneradially extending tooth is formed on the housing and the at least onesocket is formed on the internal luer lock element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E are simplified respective first and secondside view, first and second end view illustrations and a sectionalillustration, taken along lines IE-IE in FIG. 1D, of a luer lock adaptorconstructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified exploded view illustration of the luer lockadaptor of FIGS. 1A-1E;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are simplified respective first and second sideview, perspective luer connection end view and sectional viewillustrations of a forward housing portion forming part of the luer lockadaptor of FIGS. 1A-2, FIG. 3D being taken along lines IIID-IIID in FIG.3C;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are simplified pictorial illustrations of a forwardseptum, forming part of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 1A-2;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are simplified respective first and second sideview, end view and sectional view illustrations of a septa housingportion forming part of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 1A-2, FIG. 5Dbeing taken along lines VD-VD in FIG. 5A;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E are simplified respective first and secondside view, first and second perspective end view and sectionalillustrations of a hub element forming part of the luer lock adaptor ofFIGS. 1A-2, FIG. 6E being taken along lines VIE-VIE in FIG. 6C;

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are simplified first and second perspective end viewand a sectional illustration of a rearward housing portion forming partof the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 1A-2, FIG. 7C being taken along linesVIIC-VIIC in FIG. 7A;

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F and 8G are simplified illustrations of theluer lock adaptor of FIGS. 1A-7C in respective first, second, third,fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh operative orientations with respect toa conventional luer lock syringe;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, 9F and 9G are simplified illustrations of theluer lock adaptor of FIGS. 1A-7C in respective first, second, third,fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh operative orientations with respect toa conventional luer lock connector;

FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E and 10F are simplified respective firstand second side view, perspective view, first and second end viewillustrations and a sectional illustration, taken along lines XF-XF inFIG. 10E, of a luer lock adaptor constructed and operative in accordancewith another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a simplified exploded view illustration of the luer lockadaptor of FIGS. 10A-10F;

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E and 12F are simplified respective firstand second side view, perspective luer connection end view and sectionalview illustrations of a forward housing portion forming part of the luerlock adaptor of FIGS. 10A-11, FIGS. 12D, 12E and 12F being taken alongrespective lines XIID-XIID, XIIE-XIIE and XIIF-XIIF in FIG. 12C;

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D and 13E are simplified respectiverearward-facing and forward-facing perspective view, side view,forward-facing end view and sectional view illustrations of a septahousing portion forming part of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 10A-11,FIG. 13E being taken along lines XIIIE-XIIIE in FIG. 13A;

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D and 14E are simplified respective first andsecond side view, first and second perspective end view and sectionalillustrations of a hub element forming part of the luer lock adaptor ofFIGS. 10A-11, FIG. 14E being taken along lines XIVE-XIVE in FIG. 14C;

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C are simplified first and second perspective endview and a sectional illustration of a rearward housing portion formingpart of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 10A-11;

FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E and 16F are simplified illustrations ofthe luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 10A-16C in respective first, second,third, fourth, fifth and sixth operative orientations with respect to aconventional luer lock syringe;

FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, 17E and 17F are simplified illustrations ofthe luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 10A-15C in respective first, second,third, fourth, fifth and sixth operative orientations with respect to aconventional luer lock connector;

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D and 18E are simplified respective first andsecond side view, first and second end view illustrations and asectional illustration, taken along lines XVIIIE-XVIIIE in FIG. 18D, ofa luer lock adaptor constructed and operative in accordance with anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a simplified exploded view illustration of the luer lockadaptor of FIGS. 18A-18E;

FIGS. 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D are simplified respective first and secondside view, perspective luer connection end view and sectional viewillustrations of a forward housing portion forming part of the luer lockadaptor of FIGS. 18A-19, FIG. 20D being taken along lines XXD-XXD inFIG. 20C;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are simplified pictorial illustrations of a forwardseptum, forming part of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 18A-19;

FIGS. 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D are simplified respective first and secondside view, end view and sectional view illustrations of a septa housingportion forming part of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 18A-19, FIG. 22Dbeing taken along lines XXIID-XXIID in FIG. 22A;

FIGS. 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D and 23E are simplified respective first andsecond side view, first and second perspective end view and sectionalillustrations of a hub element forming part of the luer lock adaptor ofFIGS. 18A-19, FIG. 23E being taken along lines XXIIIE-XXIIIE in FIG.23C;

FIGS. 23F, 23G, 23H and 23I are simplified sectional illustrations ofrelative positioning of a hub element and a rearward housing portion ofthe luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 18A-19 in four different rotationalorientations, taken along lines XXIIIF-XXIIIF in FIG. 18E;

FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C are simplified perspective end view, cut awayperspective end view and sectional illustrations of a rearward housingportion forming part of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 18A-19;

FIGS. 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25E and 25F are simplified illustrations ofthe luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 18A-24C in respective first, second,third, fourth, fifth and sixth operative orientations with respect to aconventional luer lock syringe;

FIGS. 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E and 26F are simplified illustrations ofthe luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 1A-7C in respective first, second, third,fourth, fifth and sixth operative orientations with respect to aconventional luer lock connector;

FIGS. 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D and 27E are simplified respective first andsecond side view, first and second end view illustrations and asectional illustration, taken along lines XXVIIE-XXVIIE in FIG. 27D, ofa luer lock adaptor constructed and operative in accordance with yetanother preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a simplified exploded view illustration of the luer lockadaptor of FIGS. 27A-27E;

FIGS. 29A, 29B, 29C and 29D are simplified respective first and secondside view, perspective luer connection end view and sectional viewillustrations of a forward housing portion forming part of the luer lockadaptor of FIGS. 27A-28, FIG. 29D being taken along lines XXIXD-XXIXD inFIG. 29C;

FIGS. 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D and 30E are simplified respectiverearward-facing and forward-facing perspective view, side view,forward-facing end view and sectional view illustrations of a septahousing portion forming part of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 27A-28,FIG. 30D being taken along lines XXXD-XXXD in FIG. 30A;

FIGS. 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D and 31E are simplified respective first andsecond side view, first and second perspective end view and sectionalillustrations of a hub element forming part of the luer lock adaptor ofFIGS. 27A-28, FIG. 31E being taken along lines XXXIE-XXXIE in FIG. 31C;

FIGS. 31F, 31G, 31H and 31I are simplified sectional illustrations ofrelative positioning of a hub element and a rearward housing portion ofthe luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 27A-28 in four different rotationalorientations, taken along lines XXXIF-XXXIF in FIG. 27E;

FIGS. 32A, 32B and 32C are simplified perspective end view, cut awayperspective end view and sectional illustrations of a rearward housingportion forming part of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 27A-28;

FIGS. 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D, 33E and 33F are simplified illustrations ofthe luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 18A-24C in respective first, second,third, fourth, fifth and sixth operative orientations with respect to aconventional luer lock syringe; and

FIGS. 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E and 34F are simplified illustrations ofthe luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 1A-7C in respective first, second, third,fourth, fifth and sixth operative orientations with respect to aconventional luer lock connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E, which aresimplified respective first and second side view and first and secondend view illustrations and a sectional illustration, taken along linesIE-IE in FIG. 1D, of a luer lock adaptor constructed and operative inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and toFIG. 2, which is a simplified exploded view illustration of the luerlock adaptor of FIGS. 1A-1E.

As seen in FIGS. 1A-1E and 2, there is provided a luer lock adaptor 100,which extends generally along a longitudinal axis 101 and has a luerconnection end 102 and a port connection end 104. Although a female luerconnection end 102 is shown, the luer connection end may be any suitableluer connection end. Although a specific port connection end 104 isshown, the port connection end 104 may be any suitable port connectionend 104. Various examples of port connections are described inapplicant/assignees U.S. Pat. No. 8,122,923, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference. The luer lock adaptor 100 preferablyincludes a forward housing portion 110 and a rearward housing portion120, which are preferably fixedly snap-fit to each other so as toprevent both relative axial movement and relative azimuthal movementabout axis 101 therebetween. Alternatively, forward housing portion 110and rearward housing portion 120 may be formed as a single integralunit. The forward-facing direction is facing to the left in FIG. 1A.

Disposed within forward housing portion 110 is a septa housing portion130 onto which is fixedly mounted a forward septum 132 and a rearwardseptum 134, which are retained in the septa housing portion 130,preferably by ultrasonic swaging of forward and rearward edges of thesepta housing portion 130.

Disposed within rearward housing portion 120 is a hub element 140,defining a female luer connector portion 142, at a rearward-facing endthereof, and, at a forward-facing end thereof, a needle mounting portion144. A needle 146, mounted onto needle mounting portion 144, extendsaxially forwardly along longitudinal axis 101 into forward housingportion 110, such that in the absence of a port connection at the portconnection end 104, a sharp tip 150 of needle 146 is located within thesepta housing 130 between rearward septum 134 and forward septum 132. Acompression spring 152 urges septa housing 130 forwardly with respect tohub element 140 and needle 146. Compression spring 152 is seated betweena forward-facing surface 153 of hub element 140 and a rearward facingsurface 154 of septa housing 130.

It is a particular feature of an embodiment of the present inventionthat there is provided a luer lock adaptor, here luer lock adaptor 100,which includes a housing, here housing portions 110 and 120, whichdefine an axis, here axis 101, and an internal luer lock element, herehub element 140, the internal luer lock element being located internallyof the housing and being rotatably mounted thereto for rotation aboutthe axis relative to the housing, in a manner which permits rotation ofthe luer lock element relative to the housing in a first rotationdirection about the axis and limits rotation of the luer lock elementrelative to the housing in a second rotation direction about the axis,opposite to the first rotation direction, whereby the location of theinternal luer lock element internally of the housing prevents manualaccess to the internal luer lock element for limiting rotation thereofin the first rotation direction.

Reference is now additionally made to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, which aresimplified respective first and second side view, perspective luerconnection end view, and sectional view illustrations of forward housingportion 110, forming part of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 1A-2.

As seen in FIGS. 3A-3D, the forward housing portion 110 comprises agenerally circular cylindrical main portion 200 having a forwardcircumferential rim 202 and a pair of opposite side cut outs 204adjacent which are mounted a pair of oppositely directed port connectorengagement portions 206.

Each of port connector engagement portions 206 preferably includes aribbed finger engagement surface 208, which is connected to aretractable port connector engagement tooth 210. Each of port connectorengagement portions 206 is flexibly mounted onto main portion 200 bymeans of a flexible mounting arch 212 which spans a corresponding cutout 204. Manual pressing on engagement surface 208 causes retraction ofport connector engagement tooth 210, such that simultaneous manualpressing on engagement surfaces 208 of both of port connector engagementportions 206 enables disengagement of a port connector (not shown) fromthe interior of cylindrical main portion 200.

As seen clearly in FIG. 3D, opposite interior surfaces of main portion200 each define a septa housing guiding recess 213 having a forwardstop-defining wall surface 214, which limits the forward displacement ofthe septa housing 130 relative to the forward housing portion 110.

As seen particularly clearly in FIG. 3C, forward housing portion 110includes a rearwardly-facing toothed edge 215 having formed thereon aplurality of teeth 216, typically four in number, each including arearwardly-facing partially circumferential surface 217, a rearwardlyand clockwise-facing inclined surface 218 and an axially extending,counter-clockwise facing, locking surface 219 from a forwardly-facingperspective.

Adjacent rearwardly-facing toothed edge 215 on a radially outwardsurface 220 of main portion 200 are a plurality of mutually spacedcircumferential elongate protrusions 221.

As seen in FIG. 3D, a plurality of protrusions 222, preferably a pair oneither side, lie on opposite sides of an inwardly-facing circumferentialwall surface 223 of the hollow port connection end 104 of the luer lockadaptor 100.

Reference is now additionally made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which aresimplified pictorial illustrations of forward septum 132, and to FIGS.5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, which are simplified respective first and second sideview, end view, and a sectional view, taken along lines VD-VD in FIG.5A, illustrations of septa housing portion 130.

As seen in FIGS. 4A-5D, the septa housing portion 130 is a generallycylindrical element having generally rounded respective forward andrearward openings 224 and 225 leading to respective forward and rearwardrecesses 226 and 227, which accommodate respective forward and rearwardsepta 132 and 134. An open needle accommodating channel 228 extendslongitudinally along axis 101 between forward and rearward recesses 226and 227.

As seen particularly in FIGS. 4A & 4B, forward septum 132 preferably isan integrally formed element formed of a polymer, such as polyisoprene,and includes a relatively wide, rearward cylindrical portion 230, whichis preferably seated in forward recess 226 of septa housing portion 130and defines a rearwardly-directed forward septum surface 232, and arelatively narrow cylindrical portion 234, which extends forwardly ofrearward cylindrical portion 230 and preferably extends through andforwardly of forward opening 224 in septa housing portion 130 anddefines a forwardly-directed forward septum surface 236. Rearward septum134 preferably is an integrally formed element formed of a polymer suchas polyisoprene, has a disk like, flat cylindrical configuration and isseated in rearward recess 227 of septa housing portion 130.

Turning now specifically to FIGS. 5A-5D, which illustrate septa housingportion 130, it is seen that septa housing portion 130 has a generallycylindrical outer surface 238 having a radially outwardly protrudingcircumferential band 240 formed thereon. A pair of narrow protrusions242 extend radially outwardly from circumferential band 240 of septahousing 130 for engaging septa housing guiding recesses 213 and forwardstop-defining wall surfaces 214 and thus limiting the forwarddisplacement of septa housing portion 130 in forward housing portion 110and preventing azimuthal rotation of septa housing portion 130 aboutaxis 101.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E, which aresimplified respective first and second side view, first and secondperspective end view, and a sectional view, taken along lines VIE-VIE inFIG. 6C, illustrations of hub element 140. As noted hereinabove, hubelement 140 defines a female luer connector portion 142 at arearward-facing end and a needle mounting portion 144 at aforward-facing end.

Disposed intermediate the female luer connector portion 142 and theneedle mounting portion 144 is a doubly-toothed circumferentialintermediate portion 250. Toothed circumferential intermediate portion250 preferably includes an outwardly-facing circular cylindrical surfaceportion 252.

Forwardly of outwardly-facing circular cylindrical surface portion 252is a forward-facing toothed portion 254 having a forward-facing toothededge 256 having formed thereon a plurality of teeth 258, typically fourin number, each including a forwardly and clockwise-facing inclinedsurface 260 and an axially extending, clockwise facing, locking surface262, from a forward-facing perspective.

The arrangement of teeth 258 is such that when a male luer connector ofa syringe or other element (not shown) is screwed onto female luerconnector portion 142 in a clockwise direction of rotation from aforwardly-facing perspective, continued rotation of the syringe in theaforesaid clockwise direction produces corresponding rotation of hubelement 140 in the aforesaid clockwise direction and causes clockwisefacing, axially and radially directed locking surfaces 262 to lockinglyengage corresponding counter-clockwise facing, axially and radiallydirected locking surfaces 219 of teeth 216 on rearwardly-facing toothededge 215 of forward housing portion 110. The aforesaid clockwisedirection of rotation is indicated by arrows 270 in FIGS. 6A-6E.

Rearwardly of outwardly-facing circular cylindrical surface portion 252is a rearward-facing toothed portion 274 having a rearward-facingtoothed surface 276 having formed thereon a plurality of teeth 278,typically four in number, each including a rearwardly andclockwise-facing inclined surface 280 and a clockwise-facing, axiallyand radially directed locking surface 282.

Reference is now additionally made to FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, which aresimplified first and second perspective end view and sectional viewillustrations of rearward housing portion 120.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 7A-7C, rearward housing portion 120 is preferablyan overall circular cylindrical element arranged along axis 101 andhaving a forward end 300, a rearward end 302 and a circular cylindricaloutwardly-facing surface 304. Formed on an inwardly-facing surface 306are a plurality of mutually azimuthally spaced circumferential recesses308 which receive corresponding protrusions 221 of forward housingportion 110 in a snap fit engagement, thereby providing both axial andazimuthal locking between forward housing portion 110 and rearwardhousing portion 120.

Intermediate forward end 300 and rearward end 302 and extending radiallyinwardly of inwardly-facing surface 306 is an inwardly directed flange320 having a forwardly-facing surface 322 and a rearwardly-facingsurface 324. Forwardly-facing surface 322 is preferably formed with anazimuthal array of toothed recesses 330, preferably four or more innumber, each of which includes a forwardly and clockwise-facing inclinedsurface 332 and an axial directed counter-clockwise-facing lockingsurface 334.

The aforesaid axial and azimuthal locking between forward housingportion 110 and rearward housing portion 120 retains hub element 140between forward facing surface 322 of rearward housing portion 120 andcompression spring 152, which urges hub element 140 against forwardfacing surface 322, such that teeth 278 of hub element 140 lockinglyengage recesses 330 and clockwise-facing, axially and radially directedlocking surfaces 282 of teeth 278 lockingly engage axial directedcounter-clockwise-facing locking surfaces 334, thereby permittingcounterclockwise, from a forwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hubelement 140 relative to rearward housing portion 120 but preventingclockwise, from a forwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hub element140 relative to rearward housing portion 120.

The arrangement of teeth 278 is such that when a male luer connector ofa syringe or other element (not shown) is screwed onto female luerconnector portion 142 in a clockwise direction of rotation, indicated byarrow 270, without the application of a forwardly-directed axial forcealong axis 101, indicated by an arrow 340, continued rotation of thesyringe in the aforesaid clockwise direction does not producecorresponding rotation of hub element 140 in the aforesaid clockwisedirection indicated by arrow 270 and enables tight engagement of thesyringe with the hub 140. This arrangement is also such that when a userattempts to unscrew the male luer connector by rotating it in acounterclockwise direction, indicated by an arrow 342 (FIGS. 8A-8D), thehub 140 rotates about axis 101 together with the syringe, therebypreventing disengagement of the syringe from the hub 140.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8F and 8G, which aresimplified illustrations of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 1A-7C inrespective first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventhoperative orientations with respect to a conventional luer lock syringe.

FIG. 8A shows a conventional luer lock syringe 400 having a male luerconnector 402 about to be connected to the luer lock adaptor 100 ofFIGS. 1A-7C. Prior to engagement of the luer lock syringe 400 with theluer lock adaptor 100, the compression action of compression spring 152urges hub element 140 against forward facing surface 322 of flange 320of rearward housing portion 120, such that teeth 278 of hub element 140lockingly engage recesses 330 and clockwise-facing, axially and radiallydirected locking surfaces 282 of teeth 278 lockingly engage axialdirected counter-clockwise-facing locking surfaces 334, therebypermitting counterclockwise, from a forwardly-facing perspective,rotation of hub element 140 relative to rearward housing portion 120,represented by arrow 342, but preventing clockwise, from aforwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hub element 140 relative torearward housing portion 120, represented by arrow 270. It is noted thatan axial separation, typically approximately 1.8 mm, indicated by theletter A, between rearwardly-facing toothed edge 215 of forward housingportion 110 and forward-facing toothed edge 256 of hub element 140 isgreater than the axial extent of axially extending, clockwise facing,locking surface 262, typically approximately 0.7 mm, such that mutualrotation between the hub element 140 and the forward housing portion 110in either rotational direction is not restricted. It is appreciated thatrotation of the hub element 140 in a clockwise direction indicated byarrow 270 relative to forward housing portion 110 is neverthelessprevented by virtue of the fact that the rear housing portion 120 isfixed to the forward housing portion 110.

It is further noted that an axial separation between forward-facingsurface 322 of the rearward housing portion 120 and the rearward-facingtoothed surface of 276 of hub element 140 is indicated by the letter B.In the orientation shown in FIG. 8A, compression action of compressionspring 152 urges hub element 140 against forward facing surface 322 offlange 320 of rearward housing portion 120, such that the axialseparation B is zero.

It is appreciated that an axial separation between forward-facingsurface 322 of the rearward housing portion 120 and rearwardly-facingtoothed edge 215 of forward housing portion 110, indicated by the letterC, remains constant, typically approximately 5.4 mm, due to the snap fitengagement of forward housing portion 110 and rearward housing portion120, providing axial and azimuthal locking between forward housingportion 110 and rearward housing portion 120, as described hereinabove.Additionally, the sum of axial separation A and axial separation Bremains constant due to the snap fit engagement of forward housingportion 110 and rearward housing portion 120, providing axial andazimuthal locking between forward housing portion 110 and rearwardhousing portion 120, as described hereinabove.

FIG. 8B illustrates initial forward axial displacement of syringe 400relative to luer lock adaptor 100 along axis 101, as indicated by anarrow 410, such that the male luer connector 402 is in touchingengagement with female luer connector portion 142 at a rearward-facingend thereof. The locking engagement of rearward housing portion 120 andteeth 278 of hub element 140 is unchanged from that describedhereinabove with reference to FIG. 8A. It is noted that the axialseparation A, between rearwardly-facing toothed edge 215 andforward-facing toothed edge 256 and axial separation B, betweenforward-facing surface 322 of the rearward housing portion 120 and therearward-facing toothed surface of 276 of hub element 140 are unchangedfrom that described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C illustrates clockwise rotation of the syringe 400 relative toluer lock adaptor 100 about axis 101, such that the male luer connector402 is in full threaded frictional engagement with female luer connectorportion 142 of hub element 140. This rotation takes place withoutapplication of an additional forward axial force along axis 101. Thisfull threaded engagement is made possible by the aforementioned lockingof rotation of hub element 140 against clockwise rotation relative torearward housing portion 120. It is noted that axial separation A,between rearwardly-facing toothed edge 215 and forward-facing toothededge 256, and axial separation B, between forward-facing surface 322 ofthe rearward housing portion 120 and the rearward-facing toothed surfaceof 276 of hub element 140, are unchanged from that described hereinabovewith reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIG. 8D illustrates counterclockwise rotation of the syringe 400relative to rearward housing portion 120 of luer lock adaptor 100 aboutaxis 101, in an attempt to disengage the male luer connector 402 fromthe female luer connector portion 142 of hub element 140. This attemptis unsuccessful due to the frictional engagement of the male luerconnector 402 with the female luer connector portion 142 of hub element140 and due to the fact that the hub element 140 is free to rotatecounterclockwise relative to the remainder of the luer lock adaptor 100due to the fact that the axial separation A, between rearwardly-facingtoothed edge 215 and forward-facing toothed edge 256, typicallyapproximately 1.0 mm, is greater than the axial extent of axiallyextending, clockwise facing, locking surface 262, typicallyapproximately 0.7 mm, such that mutual rotation between the hub element140 and the forward housing portion 110 in the counterclockwisedirection is not restricted. It is appreciated that axial separation Ain FIG. 8D is less than the axial separation A in FIGS. 8A-8C, but stillgreater than the axial extent of axially extending, clockwise facing,locking surface 262.

It is also appreciated that due to the counterclockwise rotation of hubelement 140 relative to the rearward housing portion 120, axialseparation B, between forward-facing surface 322 of the rearward housingportion 120 and the rearward-facing toothed surface of 276 of hubelement 140, which typically varies between 0 and 0.8 mm, has increased,typically to approximately 0.8 mm, from axial separation B shown inFIGS. 8A-8C corresponding to the decrease in axial separation A shown inFIG. 8D from axial separation A shown in FIGS. 8A-8C.

FIGS. 8E and 8F illustrate an alternative to the stage shown in FIG. 8C.FIG. 8E illustrates clockwise rotation of the syringe 400 relative toluer lock adaptor 100 about axis 101, as indicated by arrow 270, suchthat the male luer connector 402 is in full threaded frictionalengagement with female luer connector portion 142 of hub element 140. Asdistinguished from FIG. 8C, here this rotation takes place withapplication of an additional forward axial force along axis 101 asindicated by arrow 340.

This forward axial force causes axial separation A, betweenrearwardly-facing toothed edge 215 and forward-facing toothed edge 256,to be less than the axial extent of axially extending, clockwise facing,locking surface 262, typically approximately 0.7 mm, such that clockwiserotation of the hub element 140 relative to forward housing portion 110is restricted.

FIG. 8E shows partial threaded frictional engagement between male luerconnector 402 and female luer connector portion 142 resulting fromclockwise rotation of the syringe 400 combined with application of anaxial force, as indicated by arrows 270 and 340. It is appreciated thatat the stage shown in FIG. 8E, axial separation A, typicallyapproximately 0.3 mm, is less than axial separation B, typicallyapproximately 1.5 mm.

FIG. 8F shows full threaded frictional engagement between male luerconnector 402 and female luer connector portion 142 resulting fromfurther clockwise rotation of the syringe 400 combined with applicationof an axial force, as indicated by arrows 270 and 340. It is appreciatedthat at the stage shown in FIG. 8F, axial separation A is typically 0 mmand axial separation B is typically approximately 1.8 mm.

FIG. 8G illustrates counterclockwise rotation of the syringe 400relative to rearward housing portion 120 of luer lock adaptor 100 aboutaxis 101 combined with application of an axial force, as indicated byarrows 342 and 340, in an attempt to disengage the male luer connector402 from the female luer connector portion 142 of hub element 140. Thisattempt is unsuccessful due to the frictional engagement of the maleluer connector 402 with the female luer connector portion 142 of hubelement 140 and due to the fact that the hub element 140 is free torotate counterclockwise relative to the remainder of the luer lockadaptor 100 due to the fact that forward-facing toothed edge 256 of hubelement 140, having formed thereon a plurality of teeth 258, typicallyfour in number, each including a forwardly and clockwise-facing inclinedsurface 260 in counterclockwise rotation relative to the forward housingportion 110 slides over rearwardly-facing toothed edge 215 having formedthereon a plurality of teeth 216, typically four in number, eachincluding, rearwardly-facing partially circumferential surface 217 andrearwardly and clockwise-facing inclined surface 218 such that rotationof the hub element 140 relative to the forward housing portion 110 inthe counterclockwise direction is not restricted.

It is also appreciated that due to the counterclockwise rotation of hubelement 140 relative to the rearward housing portion 120, axialseparation B, between forward-facing surface 322 of the rearward housingportion 120 and the rearward-facing toothed surface of 276 of hubelement 140, typically varies between 1.1 and 1.8 mm.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, 9F and 9G, which aresimplified illustrations of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 1A-7C inrespective first, second, third, fourth fifth, sixth and seventhoperative orientations with respect to a conventional luer lockconnector.

FIG. 9A shows a conventional luer lock connector 420 having a male luerconnector 422 about to be connected to the luer lock adaptor 100 ofFIGS. 1A-7C. Prior to engagement of the luer lock connector 420 with theluer lock adaptor 100, the compression action of compression spring 152urges hub element 140 against forward facing surface 322 of flange 320of rearward housing portion 120, such that teeth 278 of hub element 140lockingly engage recesses 330 and clockwise-facing, axially and radiallydirected locking surfaces 282 of teeth 278 lockingly engage axialdirected counter-clockwise-facing locking surfaces 334, therebypermitting counterclockwise, from a forwardly-facing perspective,rotation of hub element 140 relative to rearward housing portion 120,represented by arrow 342, but preventing clockwise, from aforwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hub element 140 relative torearward housing portion 120, represented by arrow 270. It is noted thatan axial separation, typically approximately 1.8 mm, indicated by theletter A, between rearwardly-facing toothed edge 215 of forward housingportion 110 and forward-facing toothed edge 256 of hub element 140 isgreater than the axial extent of axially extending, clockwise facing,locking surface 262, typically approximately 0.7 mm, such that mutualrotation between the hub element 140 and the forward housing portion 110in either rotational direction is not restricted. It is appreciated thatrotation of the hub element 140 in a clockwise direction indicated byarrow 270 relative to forward housing portion 110 is neverthelessprevented by virtue of the fact that the rear housing portion 120 isfixed to the forward housing portion 110.

It is further noted that an axial separation between forward-facingsurface 322 of the rearward housing portion 120 and the rearward-facingtoothed surface of 276 of hub element 140 is indicated by the letter B.In the orientation shown in FIG. 8A, compression action of compressionspring 152 urges hub element 140 against forward facing surface 322 offlange 320 of rearward housing portion 120, such that the axialseparation B is zero.

It is appreciated that an axial separation between forward-facingsurface 322 of the rearward housing portion 120 and rearwardly-facingtoothed edge 215 of forward housing portion 110, indicated by the letterC, remains constant, typically approximately 5.4 mm, due to the snap fitengagement of forward housing portion 110 and rearward housing portion120, providing axial and azimuthal locking between forward housingportion 110 and rearward housing portion 120, as described hereinabove.Additionally, the sum of axial separation A and axial separation Bremains constant due to the snap fit engagement of forward housingportion 110 and rearward housing portion 120, providing axial andazimuthal locking between forward housing portion 110 and rearwardhousing portion 120, as described hereinabove.

FIG. 9B illustrates initial forward axial displacement of luer lockconnector 420 relative to luer lock adaptor 100 along axis 101, asindicated by an arrow 430, such that the male luer connector 422 is intouching engagement with female luer connector portion 142 at arearward-facing end thereof. The locking engagement of rearward housingportion 120 and teeth 278 of hub element 140 is unchanged from thatdescribed hereinabove with reference to FIG. 9A. It is noted that theaxial separation A, between rearwardly-facing toothed edge 215 andforward-facing toothed edge 256 and axial separation B, betweenforward-facing surface 322 of the rearward housing portion 120 and therearward-facing toothed surface of 276 of hub element 140 are unchangedfrom that described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C illustrates clockwise rotation of the luer lock connector 420relative to luer lock adaptor 100 about axis 101, such that the maleluer connector 422 is in full threaded frictional engagement with femaleluer connector portion 142 of hub element 140. This rotation takes placewithout application of an additional forward axial force along axis 101.This full threaded engagement is made possible by the aforementionedlocking of rotation of hub element 140 against clockwise rotationrelative to rearward housing portion 120. It is noted that the axialseparation A, between rearwardly-facing toothed edge 215 andforward-facing toothed edge 256, and axial separation B, betweenforward-facing surface 322 of the rearward housing portion 120 and therearward-facing toothed surface of 276 of hub element 140, are isunchanged from that described hereinabove with reference to FIGS. 9A and9B.

FIG. 9D illustrates counterclockwise rotation of the luer lock connector420 relative to rearward housing portion 120 of luer lock adaptor 100about axis 101, in an attempt to disengage the male luer connector 422from the female luer connector portion 142 of hub element 140. Thisattempt is unsuccessful due to the frictional engagement of the maleluer connector 422 with the female luer connector portion 142 of hubelement 140 and due to the fact that the hub element 140 is free torotate counterclockwise relative to the remainder of the luer lockadaptor 100 due to the fact that the axial separation A, betweenrearwardly-facing toothed edge 215 and forward-facing toothed edge 256,typically approximately 1.0 mm, is greater than the axial extent ofaxially extending, clockwise facing, locking surface 262, typicallyapproximately 0.7 mm, such that mutual rotation between the hub element140 and the forward housing portion 110 in the counterclockwisedirection is not restricted. It is appreciated that axial separation ain FIG. 9D is less than axial separation A in FIGS. 9A-9C, but stillgreater than the axial extent of axially extending, clockwise facing,locking surface 262.

It is also appreciated that due to the counterclockwise rotation of hubelement 140 relative to the rearward housing portion 120, axialseparation B, between forward-facing surface 322 of the rearward housingportion 120 and the rearward-facing toothed surface of 276 of hubelement 140, which typically varies between 0 and 0.8 mm, has increased,typically to approximately 0.8 mm, from axial separation B shown inFIGS. 9A-9C corresponding to the decrease in axial separation A shown inFIG. 9D from axial separation A shown in FIGS. 9A-9C.

FIGS. 9E and 9F illustrate an alternative to the stage shown in FIG. 9C.FIG. 9E illustrates clockwise rotation of the luer lock connector 420relative to luer lock adaptor 100 about axis 101, as indicated by arrow270, such that the male luer connector 422 is in full threadedfrictional engagement with female luer connector portion 142 of hubelement 140. As distinguished from FIG. 9C, here this rotation takesplace with application of an additional forward axial force along axis101 as indicated by arrow 340.

This forward axial force causes axial separation A, betweenrearwardly-facing toothed edge 215 and forward-facing toothed edge 256,to be less than the axial extent of axially extending, clockwise facing,locking surface 262, typically approximately 0.7 mm, such that clockwiserotation of the hub element 140 relative to forward housing portion 110is restricted.

FIG. 9E shows partial threaded frictional engagement between male luerconnector 422 and female luer connector portion 142 resulting fromclockwise rotation of the luer lock connector 420 combined withapplication of an axial force, as indicated by arrows 270 and 340. It isappreciated that at the stage shown in FIG. 9E, axial separation A,typically approximately 0.3 mm, is less than axial separation B,typically approximately 1.5 mm.

FIG. 9F shows full threaded frictional engagement between male luerconnector 422 and female luer connector portion 142 resulting fromfurther clockwise rotation of the luer lock connector 420 combined withapplication of an axial force, as indicated by arrows 270 and 340. It isappreciated that at the stage shown in FIG. 9F, axial separation A istypically 0 mm and axial separation B is typically approximately 1.8 mm.

FIG. 9G illustrates counterclockwise rotation of the luer lock connector420 relative to rearward housing portion 120 of luer lock adaptor 100about axis 101 combined with application of an axial force, as indicatedby arrows 342 and 340, in an attempt to disengage the male luerconnector 422 from the female luer connector portion 142 of hub element140. This attempt is unsuccessful due to the frictional engagement ofthe male luer connector 422 with the female luer connector portion 142of hub element 140 and due to the fact that the hub element 140 is freeto rotate counterclockwise relative to the remainder of the luer lockadaptor 100 due to the fact that forward-facing toothed edge 256 of hubelement 140, having formed thereon a plurality of teeth 258, typicallyfour in number, each including a forwardly and clockwise-facing inclinedsurface 260 in counterclockwise rotation relative to the forward housingportion 110 slides over rearwardly-facing toothed edge 215 having formedthereon a plurality of teeth 216, typically four in number, eachincluding a rearwardly-facing partially circumferential surface 217, arearwardly and clockwise-facing inclined surface 218 such that rotationof the hub element 140 relative to the forward housing portion 110 inthe counterclockwise direction is not restricted.

It is also appreciated that due to the counterclockwise rotation of hubelement 140 relative to the rearward housing portion 120, axialseparation B, between forward-facing surface 322 of the rearward housingportion 120 and the rearward-facing toothed surface of 276 of hubelement 140, typically varies between 1.1 and 1.8 mm.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E and 10F, whichare simplified respective first and second side view, perspective view,first and second end view illustrations and a sectional illustration,taken along lines XF-XF in FIG. 10E, of a luer lock adaptor constructedand operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, and to FIG. 11, which is a simplified exploded viewillustration of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 10A-10F.

As seen in FIGS. 10A-10F and 11, there is provided a luer lock adaptor500, which extends generally along a longitudinal axis 501 and has aluer connection end 502 and a port connection end 504. The luer lockadaptor 500 preferably includes a forward housing portion 510 and arearward housing portion 520, which are preferably fixedly snap-fit toeach other so as to prevent both relative axial movement and relativeazimuthal movement about axis 501 therebetween. Alternatively, forwardhousing portion 510 and rearward housing portion 520 may be formed as asingle integral unit. The forward-facing direction is facing to the leftin FIG. 10A.

Disposed within forward housing portion 510 is a septa housing assembly530 including a forward septum 532 and a rearward septum 534, which arefixedly and sealingly retained in a septa mounting portion 536,preferably by ultrasonic swaging of forward and rearward edges of thesepta mounting portion 536. Septa housing assembly 530 preferablyincludes a plurality of septa housing mounting legs 538, each includinga forward engagement portion 539, which are typically snap mounted ontosepta mounting portion 536.

Disposed within rearward housing portion 520 is a hub element 540,defining a female luer connector portion 542, at a rearward-facing endthereof, and, at a forward-facing end thereof, a needle mounting portion544. A needle 546, mounted onto needle mounting portion 544, extendsaxially forwardly along longitudinal axis 501 into forward housingportion 510, such that in the absence of a port connection at the portconnection end 504, a sharp tip 550 of needle 546 is located within thesepta housing 530 between rearward septum 534 and forward septum 532. Asdistinct from the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-9G, no compression spring isprovided and septa housing 530 is axially slidably mounted onto forwardhousing portion 510 via septa housing mounting legs 538.

It is a particular feature of an embodiment of the present inventionthat there is provided a luer lock adaptor, here luer lock adaptor 500,which includes a housing, here housing portions 510 and 520, whichdefine an axis, here axis 501, and an internal luer lock element, herehub element 540, the internal luer lock element being located internallyof the housing and being rotatably mounted thereto for rotation aboutthe axis relative to the housing, in a manner which permits rotation ofthe luer lock element relative to the housing in a first rotationdirection about the axis and limits rotation of the luer lock elementrelative to the housing in a second rotation direction about the axis,opposite to the first rotation direction, whereby the location of theinternal luer lock element internally of the housing prevents manualaccess to the internal luer lock element for limiting rotation thereofin the first rotation direction.

Reference is now additionally made to FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E and12F, which are simplified respective first and second side view,perspective luer connection end view and sectional view illustrations ofa forward housing portion forming part of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS.10A-11, FIGS. 12D, 12E and 12F being taken along respective linesXIID-XIID, XIIE-XIIE and XIIF-XIIF in FIG. 12C.

As seen in FIGS. 12A-12F, the forward housing portion 510 comprises agenerally circular cylindrical main portion 600 having a forwardcircumferential rim 602 and a pair of opposite side cut outs 604adjacent which are mounted a pair of oppositely directed port connectorengagement portions 606.

Each of port connector engagement portions 606 preferably includes aribbed finger engagement surface 608, which is connected to aretractable port connector engagement tooth 610. Each of port connectorengagement portions 606 is flexibly mounted onto main portion 600 bymeans of a flexible mounting arch 612 which spans a corresponding cutout 604. Manual pressing on engagement surface 608 causes retraction ofport connector engagement tooth 610, such that simultaneous manualpressing on engagement surfaces 608 of both of port connector engagementportions 606 enables disengagement of a port connector (not shown) fromthe interior of cylindrical main portion 600.

As seen clearly in FIG. 12D, opposite interior surfaces of main portion600 each define a septa housing guiding recess 613 having a forwardstop-defining wall surface 614, which limits the forward displacement ofthe septa housing 530 relative to the forward housing portion 510.

As seen particularly clearly in FIG. 12C, forward housing portion 510includes a rearwardly-facing toothed edge 615 having formed thereon aplurality of teeth 616, typically four in number, each including arearwardly-facing partially circumferential surface 617, a rearwardlyand clockwise-facing inclined surface 618 and an axially extending,counter-clockwise facing, locking surface 619 from a forwardly-facingperspective.

Adjacent rearwardly-facing toothed edge 615 on a radially outwardsurface 620 of main portion 600 are a plurality of mutually spacedcircumferential elongate protrusions 621.

As seen in FIGS. 12D-12F, forwardly of an inwardly-facingcircumferential wall surface 623 of the forward housing portion 510there are provided a plurality of recesses 624, each having aninwardly-facing wall surface which is disposed radially outwardly withrespect to inwardly-facing circumferential wall surface 623 as well asbeing forward thereof. Recesses 624 are each separated frominwardly-facing circumferential wall surface 623 by a tapered shoulder626.

It is appreciated that forward engagement portions 539 of septa housingmounting legs 538 are seated in corresponding recesses 624 when the portconnection end 504 is not engaged by a port adaptor, such as, forexample a vial adaptor. Engagement of a port adaptor with portconnection end 504 typically forces forward engagement portions 539radially inwardly and rearwardly out of recesses 624, over respectivetapered shoulders 626 and into engagement with inwardly-facingcircumferential wall surface 623.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D and 13E, which aresimplified respective rearward-facing and forward-facing perspectiveview, side view, forward-facing end view and sectional viewillustrations of a septa housing assembly forming part of the luer lockadaptor of FIGS. 10A-11, FIG. 13E being taken along lines XIIIE-XIIIE inFIG. 13A.

As noted above, septa housing assembly 530 including a forward septum532 and a rearward septum 534, which are fixedly and sealingly retainedin a septa mounting portion 536, preferably by ultrasonic swaging offorward and rearward edges of the septa mounting portion 536. Septahousing assembly 530 preferably includes a plurality of septa housingmounting legs 538, each including a forward engagement portion 539,which are typically snap mounted onto septa mounting portion 536.

As seen in FIGS. 13A-13E, the septa housing assembly 530 is a generallycylindrical element having generally rounded respective forward andrearward openings 627 and 628 leading to respective forward and rearwardrecesses 629 and 630, which accommodate respective forward and rearwardsepta 532 and 534. An open needle accommodating channel 640 extendslongitudinally along axis 501 between forward and rearward recesses 629and 630.

As seen particularly in FIGS. 13A-13E, forward septum 532 preferably isan integrally formed element formed of a polymer such as polyisopreneand includes a relatively wide, rearward cylindrical portion 641, whichis preferably seated in forward recess 629 of septa mounting portion 536and defines a rearwardly-directed forward septum surface 642, and arelatively narrow cylindrical portion 644, which extends forwardly ofrearward cylindrical portion 641 and preferably extends through andforwardly of forward opening 627 in septa housing assembly 530 anddefines a forwardly-directed forward septum surface 646. Rearward septum534 preferably is an integrally formed element formed of a polymer suchas polyisoprene, is of a disk like, flat cylindrical configuration andis seated in rearward recess 630 of septa housing assembly 530.

It is seen that septa mounting portion 536 has a generally cylindricalouter surface 647 onto which is snap mounted or otherwise secured aradially outwardly protruding circumferential band 648 from which septahousing mounting legs 538 extend forwardly. A pair of narrow protrusions649 extend radially outwardly from circumferential band 648 for engagingsepta housing guiding recesses 613 and forward stop-defining wallsurfaces 614 and thus limiting the forward displacement of septa housingassembly 530 in forward housing portion 510 and preventing the azimuthalrotation of septa housing portion 530 about axis 501.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D and 14E, which aresimplified respective first and second side view, first and secondperspective end view and sectional illustrations of hub element 540forming part of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 10A-11, FIG. 14E beingtaken along lines XIVE-XIVE in FIG. 14C. As noted hereinabove, hubelement 540 defines a female luer connector portion 542 at arearward-facing end and a needle mounting portion 544 at aforward-facing end.

Disposed intermediate the female luer connector portion 542 and theneedle mounting portion 544 is a doubly-toothed circumferentialintermediate portion 650. Toothed circumferential intermediate portion650 preferably includes an outwardly-facing circular cylindrical surfaceportion 652.

Forwardly of outwardly-facing circular cylindrical surface portion 652is a forward-facing toothed portion 654 having a forward-facing toothededge 656 having formed thereon a plurality of teeth 658, typically fourin number, each including a forwardly and clockwise-facing inclinedsurface 660 and an axially extending, clockwise facing, locking surface662, from a forward-facing perspective.

The arrangement of teeth 658 is such that when a male luer connector ofa syringe or other element (not shown) is screwed onto female luerconnector portion 542 in a clockwise direction of rotation from aforwardly-facing perspective, continued rotation of the syringe in theaforesaid clockwise direction produces corresponding rotation of hubelement 540 in the aforesaid clockwise direction and causes clockwisefacing, axially and radially directed locking surfaces 662 to lockinglyengage corresponding counter-clockwise facing, axially and radiallydirected locking surfaces 619 of teeth 616 on rearwardly-facing toothededge 615 of forward housing portion 510. The aforesaid clockwisedirection of rotation is indicated by arrows 670 in FIGS. 14A-14E.

Rearwardly of outwardly-facing circular cylindrical surface portion 652is a rearward-facing toothed portion 674 having a rearward-facingtoothed surface 676 having formed thereon a plurality of teeth 678,typically four in number, each including a rearwardly andclockwise-facing inclined surface 680 and a clockwise-facing, axiallyand radially directed locking surface 682.

Reference is now additionally made to FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C, which aresimplified first and second perspective end view, and sectional viewillustrations of rearward housing portion 520.

As seen in FIGS. 11 and 15A-15C, rearward housing portion 520 ispreferably an overall circular cylindrical element arranged along axis501 and having a forward end 700, a rearward end 702 and a circularcylindrical outwardly-facing surface 704. Formed on an inwardly-facingsurface 706 are a plurality of mutually azimuthally spacedcircumferential recesses 708 which receive corresponding protrusions 621of forward housing portion 510 in a snap fit engagement, therebyproviding both axial and azimuthal locking between forward housingportion 510 and rearward housing portion 520.

Intermediate forward end 700 and rearward end 702 and extending radiallyinwardly of inwardly-facing surface 706 is an inwardly directed flange720 having a forwardly-facing surface 722 and a rearwardly-facingsurface 724. Forwardly-facing surface 722 is preferably formed with anazimuthal array of toothed recesses 730, preferably four or more innumber, each of which includes a forwardly and clockwise-facing inclinedsurface 732 and an axial directed counter-clockwise-facing lockingsurface 734.

The arrangement of teeth 658 is such that when a male luer connector ofa syringe or other element (not shown) is screwed onto female luerconnector portion 542 in a clockwise direction of rotation, indicated byarrow 670, together with the application of a forwardly-directed axialforce along axis 501, indicated by an arrow 740, continued rotation ofthe syringe in the aforesaid clockwise direction does not producecorresponding rotation of hub element 540 in the aforesaid clockwisedirection indicated by arrow 670 and enables tight engagement of thesyringe with the hub 540. This arrangement is also such that when a userattempts to unscrew the male luer connector by rotating it in acounterclockwise direction, indicated by an arrow 742 (FIGS. 16A-16D),the hub 540 rotates about axis 501 together with the syringe, therebypreventing disengagement of the syringe from the hub 540.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, 16E and 16F, whichare simplified illustrations of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 10A-15Cin respective first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth operativeorientations with respect to a conventional luer lock syringe.

FIG. 16A shows a conventional luer lock syringe 800 having a male luerconnector 802 about to be connected to the luer lock adaptor 500 ofFIGS. 10A-15C.

It is noted that in the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-9G, prior to engagementof the luer lock syringe 400 with the luer lock adaptor 100, thecompression action of compression spring 152 urges hub element 140against forward facing surface 322 of flange 320 of rearward housingportion 120, such that teeth 278 of hub element 140 lockingly engagerecesses 330 and clockwise-facing, axially and radially directed lockingsurfaces 282 of teeth 278 lockingly engage axial directedcounter-clockwise-facing locking surfaces 334, thereby permittingcounterclockwise, from a forwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hubelement 140 relative to rearward housing portion 120, represented byarrow 342, but preventing clockwise, from a forwardly-facingperspective, rotation of hub element 140 relative to rearward housingportion 120, represented by arrow 270.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 10A-16F, no compression spring is providedand thus, prior to engagement of the luer lock syringe 800 with the luerlock adaptor 500, hub element 540 is not urged against forward facingsurface 722 of flange 720 of rearward housing portion 520, such thatteeth 678 of hub element 540 do not necessarily and usually do notlockingly engage recesses 730 and clockwise-facing, axially and radiallydirected locking surfaces 682 of teeth 678 do not necessarily andusually do not lockingly engage axial directed counter-clockwise-facinglocking surfaces 734, thereby permitting counterclockwise, from aforwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hub element 540 relative torearward housing portion 520, represented by arrow 742, but usually alsopermitting clockwise, from a forwardly-facing perspective, rotation ofhub element 540 relative to rearward housing portion 520, represented byarrow 670.

It is noted that an axial separation, indicated by the letter A, betweenrearwardly-facing toothed edge 615 of forward housing portion 510 andforward-facing toothed edge 656 of hub element 540 may or may not begreater than the axial extent of axially extending, clockwise facing,locking surface 662, such that mutual rotation between the hub element540 and the forward housing portion 510 in either rotational directionmay or may not be restricted. In the illustrated embodiment shown inFIG. 16A, axial separation A is typically between approximately 0.7 mmand 1.0 mm and an axial separation, indicated by the letter B, betweenforward-facing surface 722 of the rearward housing portion 520 and therearward-facing toothed surface of 676 of hub element 540, is typicallybetween 0.8 mm and 1.1 mm.

It is appreciated that an axial separation between forward-facingsurface 722 of the rearward housing portion 520 and rearwardly-facingtoothed edge 615 of forward housing portion 510, indicated by the letterC, remains constant, typically approximately 5.4 mm, due to the snap fitengagement of forward housing portion 510 and rearward housing portion520, providing axial and azimuthal locking between forward housingportion 510 and rearward housing portion 520, as described hereinabove.Additionally, the sum of axial separation A and axial separation Bremains constant, typically approximately 1.8 mm, due to the snap fitengagement of forward housing portion 510 and rearward housing portion520, providing axial and azimuthal locking between forward housingportion 510 and rearward housing portion 520, as described hereinabove.

FIG. 16B illustrates initial forward axial displacement of syringe 800relative to luer lock adaptor 500 along axis 501 such that the male luerconnector 802 is in touching engagement with female luer connectorportion 542 at a rearward-facing end thereof. The touching engagementpushes hub element 540 forward, as indicated by an arrow 810, relativeto rearward housing portion 520 until teeth 658 of hub element 540 arein touching engagement with inclined surfaces 618 of teeth 616 whichstops rotation of hub element 540 and allows syringe 800 to be rotatedrelative to hub element 540.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 16B, axial separation A isless than the axial extent of axially extending, clockwise facinglocking surface 662, approximately 0.7 mm, and axial separation B, isgreater than 1.1 mm, which is greater than the axial extent ofclockwise-facing, axially and radially directed locking surface 682,which is typically approximately 0.8 mm.

FIG. 16C illustrates clockwise rotation of the syringe 800 relative toluer lock adaptor 500 about axis 501, as indicated by arrow 670, suchthat the male luer connector 802 is in partial threaded frictionalengagement with female luer connector portion 542 of hub element 540.This rotation takes place together with application of an additionalforward axial force along axis 501 as indicated by arrow 740.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 16C, due to the clockwiserotation of hub element 540 relative to forward housing portion 510 andrearward housing portion 520 from the position shown in FIG. 16B, axialseparation A shown in FIG. 16C, approximately 0.4 mm, is less than axialseparation A shown in FIG. 16B, and axial separation B shown in FIG.16C, approximately 1.4 mm, is greater than axial separation B shown inFIG. 16B.

FIG. 16D illustrates clockwise rotation of the syringe 800 relative toluer lock adaptor 500 about axis 501, such that the male luer connector802 is in full threaded frictional engagement with female luer connectorportion 542 of hub element 540. This rotation takes place together withapplication of an additional forward axial force along axis 501 asindicated by arrow 740.

This forward axial force causes axial separation A to decrease to zeroand axial separation B to increase to approximately 1.8 mm asrearwardly-facing toothed edge 615 of forward housing portion 510lockingly engages forward-facing toothed edge 656 of hub element 540 andprevents further clockwise rotation of the hub element 540 relative toforward housing portion 510, notwithstanding the absence of acompression spring.

FIG. 16E illustrates counterclockwise rotation of the syringe 800relative to rearward housing portion 520 of luer lock adaptor 500 aboutaxis 501 combined with application of a forwardly-directed axial force,as indicated by arrows 742 and 740, in an attempt to disengage the maleluer connector 802 from the female luer connector portion 542 of hubelement 540. This attempt is unsuccessful due to the frictionalengagement of the male luer connector 802 with the female luer connectorportion 542 of hub element 540 and due to the fact that the hub element540 is free to rotate counterclockwise relative to the remainder of theluer lock adaptor 500 due to the fact that forward-facing toothed edge656 of hub element 540, having formed thereon a plurality of teeth 658,typically four in number, each including a forwardly andclockwise-facing inclined surface 660 in counterclockwise rotationrelative to the forward housing portion 510 slides overrearwardly-facing toothed edge 615 having formed thereon a plurality ofteeth 616, typically four in number, each including, a rearwardly-facingpartially circumferential surface 617 and a rearwardly andclockwise-facing inclined surface 618, such that rotation of the hubelement 540 relative to the forward housing portion 510 in thecounterclockwise direction is not restricted.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 16E, due to thecounter-clockwise rotation of hub element 540 relative to forwardhousing portion 510 and rearward housing portion 520 from the positionshown in FIG. 16D, axial separation A is approximately equal to theaxial extent of axially extending, clockwise facing locking surface 662,approximately 0.7 mm, and axial separation B is approximately 1.1 mm.

FIG. 16F illustrates counterclockwise rotation of the syringe 800relative to rearward housing portion 520 of luer lock adaptor 500 aboutaxis 501 combined with application of a rearwardly-directed axial force,as indicated by arrows 742 and 820, in an attempt to disengage the maleluer connector 802 from the female luer connector portion 542 of hubelement 540. This attempt is unsuccessful due to the frictionalengagement of the male luer connector 802 with the female luer connectorportion 542 of hub element 540 and due to the fact that the hub element540 is free to rotate counterclockwise relative to the remainder of theluer lock adaptor 500 due to the fact that rearward-facing toothed edge674 of hub element 540, having formed thereon a plurality of teeth 678,typically four in number, each including rearwardly and clockwise-facinginclined surface 680, in counterclockwise rotation relative to therearward housing portion 520 slides over forwardly-facing surface 722having formed thereon a plurality of teethed recesses 730, typicallyfour in number, each including, forwardly and clockwise-facing inclinedsurface 732 and an axial directed counter-clockwise-facing lockingsurface 734, such that rotation of the hub element 540 relative to theforward housing portion 510 in the counterclockwise direction is notrestricted.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 16F, due to the combinationof rearwardly-directed axial force, indicated by arrow 820, andcounter-clockwise rotation of hub element 540 relative to forwardhousing portion 510 and rearward housing portion 520 from the positionshown in FIG. 16D, axial separation A is approximately 1.0 mm and axialseparation B is approximately equal to the axial extent ofclockwise-facing, axially and radially directed locking surface 682,approximately 0.8 mm.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, 17E and 17F, whichare simplified illustrations of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 10A-15Cin respective first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth operativeorientations with respect to a conventional luer lock syringe.

FIG. 17A shows a conventional luer lock connector 900 having a male luerconnector 902 about to be connected to the luer lock adaptor 500 ofFIGS. 10A-15C.

It is noted that in the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-9G, prior to engagementof the luer lock connector 420 with the luer lock adaptor 100, thecompression action of compression spring 152 urges hub element 140against forward facing surface 322 of flange 320 of rearward housingportion 120, such that teeth 278 of hub element 140 lockingly engagerecesses 330 and clockwise-facing, axially and radially directed lockingsurfaces 282 of teeth 278 lockingly engage axial directedcounter-clockwise-facing locking surfaces 334, thereby permittingcounterclockwise, from a forwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hubelement 140 relative to rearward housing portion 120, represented byarrow 342, but preventing clockwise, from a forwardly-facingperspective, rotation of hub element 140 relative to rearward housingportion 120, represented by arrow 270.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 10A-17F, no compression spring is providedand thus, prior to engagement of the luer lock connector 900 with theluer lock adaptor 500, hub element 540 is not urged against forwardfacing surface 722 of flange 720 of rearward housing portion 520, suchthat teeth 678 of hub element 540 do not necessarily and usually do notlockingly engage recesses 730 and clockwise-facing, axially and radiallydirected locking surfaces 682 of teeth 678 do not necessarily andusually do not lockingly engage axial directed counter-clockwise-facinglocking surfaces 734, thereby permitting counterclockwise, from aforwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hub element 540 relative torearward housing portion 520, represented by arrow 742, but usually alsopermitting clockwise, from a forwardly-facing perspective, rotation ofhub element 540 relative to rearward housing portion 520, represented byarrow 670.

It is noted that an axial separation, indicated by the letter A, betweenrearwardly-facing toothed edge 615 of forward housing portion 510 andforward-facing toothed edge 656 of hub element 540 may or may not begreater than the axial extent of axially extending, clockwise facing,locking surface 662, such that mutual rotation between the hub element540 and the forward housing portion 510 in either rotational directionmay or may not be restricted. In the illustrated embodiment shown inFIG. 17A, axial separation A is typically between approximately 0.7 mmand 1.0 mm and an axial separation, indicated by the letter B, betweenforward-facing surface 722 of the rearward housing portion 520 and therearward-facing toothed surface of 676 of hub element 540, is typicallybetween 0.8 mm and 1.1 mm.

It is appreciated that an axial separation between forward-facingsurface 722 of the rearward housing portion 520 and rearwardly-facingtoothed edge 615 of forward housing portion 510, indicated by the letterC, remains constant, typically approximately 5.4 mm, due to the snap fitengagement of forward housing portion 510 and rearward housing portion520, providing axial and azimuthal locking between forward housingportion 510 and rearward housing portion 520, as described hereinabove.Additionally, the sum of axial separation A and axial separation Bremains constant, typically approximately 1.8 mm, due to the snap fitengagement of forward housing portion 510 and rearward housing portion520, providing axial and azimuthal locking between forward housingportion 510 and rearward housing portion 520, as described hereinabove.

FIG. 17B illustrates initial forward axial displacement of luer lockconnector 900 relative to luer lock adaptor 500 along axis 501 such thatthe male luer connector 902 is in touching engagement with female luerconnector portion 542 at a rearward-facing end thereof. The touchingengagement pushes hub element 540 forward, as indicated by an arrow 910,relative to rearward housing portion 520 until teeth 658 of hub element540 are in touching engagement with inclined surfaces 618 of teeth 616which stops rotation of hub element 540 and allows luer lock connector900 to be rotated relative to hub element 540.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 17B, axial separation A isless than the axial extent of axially extending, clockwise facinglocking surface 662, approximately 0.7 mm, and axial separation B, isgreater than 1.1 mm, which is greater than the axial extent ofclockwise-facing, axially and radially directed locking surface 682,which is typically approximately 0.8 mm.

FIG. 17C illustrates clockwise rotation of the luer lock connector 900relative to luer lock adaptor 500 about axis 501, as indicated by arrow670, such that the male luer connector 902 is in partial threadedfrictional engagement with female luer connector portion 542 of hubelement 540. This rotation takes place together with application of anadditional forward axial force along axis 501 as indicated by arrow 740.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 17C, due to the clockwiserotation of hub element 540 relative to forward housing portion 510 andrearward housing portion 520 from the position shown in FIG. 17B, axialseparation A shown in FIG. 17C, approximately 0.4 mm, is less than axialseparation A shown in FIG. 17B, and axial separation B shown in FIG.17C, approximately 1.4 mm, is greater than axial separation B shown inFIG. 17B.

FIG. 17D illustrates clockwise rotation of the luer lock connector 900relative to luer lock adaptor 500 about axis 501, such that the maleluer connector 902 is in full threaded frictional engagement with femaleluer connector portion 542 of hub element 540. This rotation takes placetogether with application of an additional forward axial force alongaxis 501 as indicated by arrow 740.

This forward axial force causes axial separation A to decrease to zeroand axial separation B to increase to approximately 1.8 mm asrearwardly-facing toothed edge 615 of forward housing portion 510lockingly engages forward-facing toothed edge 656 of hub element 540 andprevents further clockwise rotation of the hub element 540 relative toforward housing portion 510, notwithstanding the absence of acompression spring.

FIG. 17E illustrates counterclockwise rotation of the luer lockconnector 900 relative to rearward housing portion 520 of luer lockadaptor 500 about axis 501 combined with application of aforwardly-directed axial force, as indicated by arrows 742 and 740, inan attempt to disengage the male luer connector 902 from the female luerconnector portion 542 of hub element 540. This attempt is unsuccessfuldue to the frictional engagement of the male luer connector 902 with thefemale luer connector portion 542 of hub element 540 and due to the factthat the hub element 540 is free to rotate counterclockwise relative tothe remainder of the luer lock adaptor 500 due to the fact thatforward-facing toothed edge 656 of hub element 540, having formedthereon a plurality of teeth 658, typically four in number, eachincluding a forwardly and clockwise-facing inclined surface 660 incounterclockwise rotation relative to the forward housing portion 510slides over rearwardly-facing toothed edge 615 having formed thereon aplurality of teeth 616, typically four in number, each including, arearwardly-facing partially circumferential surface 617 and a rearwardlyand clockwise-facing inclined surface 618, such that rotation of the hubelement 540 relative to the forward housing portion 510 in thecounterclockwise direction is not restricted.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 17E, due to thecounter-clockwise rotation of hub element 540 relative to forwardhousing portion 510 and rearward housing portion 520 from the positionshown in FIG. 17D, axial separation A is approximately equal to theaxial extent of axially extending, clockwise facing locking surface 662,approximately 0.7 mm, and axial separation B is approximately 1.1 mm.

FIG. 17F illustrates counterclockwise rotation of luer lock connector900 relative to rearward housing portion 520 of luer lock adaptor 500about axis 501 combined with application of a rearwardly-directed axialforce, as indicated by arrows 742 and 920, in an attempt to disengagethe male luer connector 902 from the female luer connector portion 542of hub element 540. This attempt is unsuccessful due to the frictionalengagement of the male luer connector 902 with the female luer connectorportion 542 of hub element 540 and due to the fact that the hub element540 is free to rotate counterclockwise relative to the remainder of theluer lock adaptor 500 due to the fact that rearward-facing toothed edge674 of hub element 540, having formed thereon a plurality of teeth 678,typically four in number, each including rearwardly and clockwise-facinginclined surface 680, in counterclockwise rotation relative to therearward housing portion 520 slides over forwardly-facing surface 722having formed thereon a plurality of teethed recesses 730, typicallyfour in number, each including, forwardly and clockwise-facing inclinedsurface 732 and an axial directed counter-clockwise-facing lockingsurface 734, such that rotation of the hub element 540 relative to theforward housing portion 510 in the counterclockwise direction is notrestricted.

In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 17F, due to the combinationof rearwardly-directed axial force, indicated by arrow 820, andcounter-clockwise rotation of hub element 540 relative to forwardhousing portion 510 and rearward housing portion 520 from the positionshown in FIG. 17D, axial separation A is approximately 1.0 mm and axialseparation B is approximately equal to the axial extent ofclockwise-facing, axially and radially directed locking surface 682,approximately 0.8 mm.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D and 18E, which aresimplified respective first and second side view and first and secondend view illustrations and a sectional illustration, taken along linesXVIIIE-XVIIIE in FIG. 18D, of a luer lock adaptor constructed andoperative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, and to FIG. 19, which is a simplified exploded viewillustration of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 18A-18E.

As seen in FIGS. 18A-18E and 19, there is provided a luer lock adaptor1000, which extends generally along a longitudinal axis 1001 and has aluer connection end 1002 and a port connection end 1004. Although afemale luer connection end 1002 is shown, the luer connection end may beany suitable luer connection end. Although a specific port connectionend 1004 is shown, the port connection end 1004 may be any suitable portconnection end 1004.

The luer lock adaptor 1000 preferably includes a forward housing portion1010 and a rearward housing portion 1020, which are preferably fixedlysnap-fit to each other so as to prevent both relative axial movement andrelative azimuthal movement about axis 1001 therebetween. Alternatively,forward housing portion 1010 and rearward housing portion 1020 may beformed as a single integral unit. The forward-facing direction is facingto the left in FIG. 18A.

Disposed within forward housing portion 1010 is a septa housing portion1030 onto which is fixedly mounted a forward septum 1032 and a rearwardseptum 1034, which are retained in the septa housing portion 1030,preferably by ultrasonic swaging of forward and rearward edges of thesepta housing portion 1030.

Disposed within rearward housing portion 1020 is a hub element 1040,defining a female luer connector portion 1042, at a rearward-facing endthereof, and, at a forward-facing end thereof, a needle mounting portion1044. A needle 1046, mounted onto needle mounting portion 1044, extendsaxially forwardly along longitudinal axis 1001 into forward housingportion 1010, such that in the absence of a port connection at the portconnection end 1004, a sharp tip 1050 of needle 1046 is located withinthe septa housing 1030 between rearward septum 1034 and forward septum1032. A compression spring 1052 urges septa housing 1030 forwardly withrespect to hub element 1040 and needle 1046. Compression spring 1052 isseated between a forward-facing surface 1053 of hub element 1040 and arearward facing surface 1054 of septa housing 1030.

It is a particular feature of an embodiment of the present inventionthat there is provided a luer lock adaptor, here luer lock adaptor 1000,which includes a housing, here housing portions 1010 and 1020, whichdefine an axis, here axis 1001, and an internal luer lock element, herehub element 1040, the internal luer lock element being locatedinternally of the housing and being rotatably mounted thereto forrotation about the axis relative to the housing, in a manner whichpermits rotation of the luer lock element relative to the housing in afirst rotation direction about the axis and limits rotation of the luerlock element relative to the housing in a second rotation directionabout the axis, opposite to the first rotation direction, whereby thelocation of the internal luer lock element internally of the housingprevents manual access to the internal luer lock element for limitingrotation thereof in the first rotation direction.

Reference is now additionally made to FIGS. 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D, whichare simplified respective first and second side view, perspective luerconnection end view, and sectional view illustrations of forward housingportion 1010, forming part of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 18A-19.

As seen in FIGS. 20A-20D, the forward housing portion 1010 comprises agenerally circular cylindrical main portion 1100 having a forwardcircumferential rim 1102 and a pair of opposite side cut outs 1104adjacent which are mounted a pair of oppositely directed port connectorengagement portions 1106.

Each of port connector engagement portions 1106 preferably includes aribbed finger engagement surface 1108, which is connected to aretractable port connector engagement tooth 1110. Each of port connectorengagement portions 1106 is flexibly mounted onto main portion 1100 bymeans of a flexible mounting arch 1112 which spans a corresponding cutout 1104. Manual pressing on engagement surface 1108 causes retractionof port connector engagement tooth 1110, such that simultaneous manualpressing on engagement surfaces 1108 of both of port connectorengagement portions 1106 enables disengagement of a port connector (notshown) from the interior of cylindrical main portion 1100.

As seen clearly in FIG. 20D, opposite interior surfaces of main portion1100 each define a septa housing guiding recess 1113 having a forwardstop-defining wall surface 1114, which limits the forward displacementof the septa housing 1030 relative to the forward housing portion 1010.

As seen particularly clearly in FIG. 20C, forward housing portion 1010includes a rearwardly-facing edge 1115. Adjacent rearwardly-facing edge1115 on a radially outward surface 1120 of main portion 1100 are aplurality of mutually spaced circumferential elongate protrusions 1121.

As seen in FIG. 20D, a plurality of protrusions 1122, preferably a pairon either side, lie on opposite sides of an inwardly-facingcircumferential wall surface 1123 of the hollow port connection end 1004of the luer lock adaptor 1000.

Reference is now additionally made to FIGS. 21A and 21B, which aresimplified pictorial illustrations of forward septum 1032, and to FIGS.22A, 22B, 22C and 22D, which are simplified respective first and secondside view, end view, and a sectional view, taken along lines XXIID-XXIIDin FIG. 22A, illustrations of septa housing portion 1030.

As seen in FIGS. 21A-22D, the septa housing portion 1030 is a generallycylindrical element having generally rounded respective forward andrearward openings 1124 and 1125 leading to respective forward andrearward recesses 1126 and 1127, which accommodate respective forwardand rearward septa 1032 and 1034. An open needle accommodating channel1128 extends longitudinally along axis 1001 between forward and rearwardrecesses 1126 and 1127.

As seen particularly in FIGS. 21A & 21B, forward septum 1032 preferablyis an integrally formed element formed of a polymer, such aspolyisoprene, and includes a relatively wide, rearward cylindricalportion 1130, which is preferably seated in forward recess 1126 of septahousing portion 1030 and defines a rearwardly-directed forward septumsurface 1132, and a relatively narrow cylindrical portion 1134, whichextends forwardly of rearward cylindrical portion 1130 and preferablyextends through and forwardly of forward opening 1124 in septa housingportion 1030 and defines a forwardly-directed forward septum surface1136. Rearward septum 1034 preferably is an integrally formed elementformed of a polymer, such as polyisoprene, is of a disk like, flatcylindrical configuration and is seated in rearward recess 1127 of septahousing portion 1030.

Turning now specifically to FIGS. 22A-22D, which illustrate septahousing portion 1030, it is seen that septa housing portion 1030 has agenerally cylindrical outer surface 1138 having a radially outwardlyprotruding circumferential band 1140 formed thereon. A pair of narrowprotrusions 1142 extend radially outwardly from circumferential band1140 of septa housing 1030 for engaging septa housing guiding recesses1113 and forward stop-defining wall surfaces 1114 and thus limiting theforward displacement of septa housing portion 1030 in forward housingportion 1010 and preventing azimuthal rotation of septa housing portion1030 about axis 1001.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D and 23E, which aresimplified respective first and second side view, first and secondperspective end view, and a sectional view, taken along linesXXIIIE-XXIIIE in FIG. 23C, illustrations of hub element 1040. As notedhereinabove, hub element 1040 defines a female luer connector portion1042 at a rearward-facing end and a needle mounting portion 1044 at aforward-facing end.

Disposed intermediate the female luer connector portion 1042 and theneedle mounting portion 1044 is a radially-toothed circumferentialintermediate portion 1150. Radially-toothed circumferential intermediateportion 1150 preferably includes a pair of generally opposite,outwardly-facing circular cylindrical surface portions 1152 which areseparated by a pair of generally opposite circumferential gaps 1154.

Extending circumferentially into respective gaps 1154 and radiallyoutwardly from circumferential edges 1156 of outwardly-facing circularcylindrical surface portions 1152 are a pair of preferably evenlycircumferentially spaced, cantilevered toothed arms 1160, each includinga generally circumferential arm portion 1162 and a tooth portion 1164.

Tooth portion 1164 preferably includes a forward-facing surface 1166 anda rearward-facing surface 1168 parallel to surface 1166, acircumferentially and radially outwardly inclined surface 1170 whichpreferably extends perpendicularly to surfaces 1166 and 1168, a radiallyoutward-facing engagement surface 1174 and a clockwise-facing radiallydirected locking surface 1176.

Forwardly of radially-toothed circumferential intermediate portion 1150is a forward-facing flange 1178 having a forward facing surface 1180, anouter facing cylindrical edge surface 1182 and a rearward-facing surface1184.

Reference is now additionally made to FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C, which aresimplified perspective end view, cut away perspective end view andsectional view illustrations of rearward housing portion 1020.

As seen in FIGS. 19 and 24A-24C, rearward housing portion 1020 ispreferably an overall circular cylindrical element arranged along axis1001 and having a forward end 1200, a rearward end 1202, a circularcylindrical outwardly-facing surface 1204 and a circular cylindricalinwardly-facing surface 1206. Intermediate forward end 1200 and rearwardend 1202 and extending radially inwardly of inwardly-facing surface 1206is an inwardly directed flange 1220 having a forwardly-facing surface1222 and a rearwardly-facing surface 1224.

Extending circumferentially and radially inwardly of circularcylindrical inwardly-facing surface 1206 forwardly of inwardly directedflange 1220 are a plurality of generally evenly spaced teeth 1230,preferably four, each having an gradually inclined radially facingsurface 1232 and a counterclockwise-facing, radially directed lockingsurface 1234. The radially inward extent of each of teeth 1230 increasescounterclockwise from inwardly-facing surface 1206 tocounterclockwise-facing locking surface 1234.

The arrangement of tooth portions 1164 on hub element 1040 and of teeth1230 on rearward housing portion 1020 is preferably such that when amale luer connector of a syringe or other element (not shown) is screwedonto female luer connector portion 1042 in a clockwise direction ofrotation from a forwardly-facing perspective, continued rotation of thesyringe in the aforesaid clockwise direction produces correspondingrotation of hub element 1040 in the aforesaid clockwise direction andcauses clockwise facing, radially directed locking surfaces 1176 tolockingly engage corresponding counter-clockwise facing, radiallydirected locking surfaces 1234 of two of teeth 1230 of rearward housingportion 1020. The aforesaid clockwise direction of rotation is indicatedby an arrow 1270 in FIG. 24A.

Formed on inwardly-facing surface 1206 are a plurality of mutuallyazimuthally spaced circumferential recesses 1238 which receivecorresponding protrusions 1121 of forward housing portion 1010 in a snapfit engagement, thereby providing both axial and azimuthal lockingbetween forward housing portion 1010 and rearward housing portion 1020.

It is appreciated that, although in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-9Gand 10A-17F respective hub elements 140 and 540 are able to move axiallyrelative to respective forward housing portions 110 and 510 and relativeto respective rearward housing portions 120 and 520, in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 18A-24C the above referenced axial and azimuthal lockingof forward housing portion 1010 and rearward housing portion 1020 alsoaxially locks hub element 1040 relative to forward housing portion 1010and relative to rearward housing portion 1020, but allows azimuthalmovement of hub element 1040 about axis 1001 relative to forward housingportion 1010 and relative to rearward housing portion 1020.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 23F-23I, which illustrate the relativepositions of radially directed locking surfaces 1176 of hub element 1040and corresponding locking surfaces 1234 of rearward housing portion 1020in four different rotational orientations.

As seen in FIG. 23F, in a first rotational orientation, radiallydirected locking surfaces 1176 of hub element 1040 are in a lockedclockwise operative engagement with locking surfaces 1234 of rearwardhousing portion 1020 and prevent clockwise, from a forwardly-facingperspective, rotation, as shown by arrow 1270, of hub element 1040relative to rearward housing portion 1020. It is appreciated that inthis orientation counterclockwise movement of the hub element 1040relative to the rearward housing portion 1020 is permitted,

As seen in FIGS. 23G and 23H, in a second and a third rotationalorientation, hub element 1040 has been rotated counterclockwise, from aforwardly-facing perspective, relative to rearward housing portion 1020,from the orientation shown in FIG. 23F. Radially directed lockingsurfaces 1176 of hub element 1040 are not in a locked clockwiseoperative engagement with locking surfaces 1234 of rearward housingportion 1020. It is appreciated that in these orientationscounterclockwise, from a forwardly-facing perspective, rotation of thehub element 1040 relative to the rearward housing portion 1020, as shownby arrows 1280, is permitted. It is also appreciated that limitedclockwise, from a forwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hub element1040 relative to rearward housing portion 1020, to return to the firstrotational orientation shown in FIG. 23F, is possible.

As seen in FIG. 23I, in a fourth rotational orientation, hub element1040 has been rotated by 90° counterclockwise, as indicated by arrows1280, from a forwardly-facing perspective, from the orientation shown inFIG. 23F. Radially directed locking surfaces 1176 of hub element 1040are in a locked clockwise operative engagement with locking surfaces1234 of rearward housing portion 1020 and prevent clockwise, from aforwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hub element 1040 relative torearward housing portion 1020. It is appreciated that in thisorientation, counterclockwise movement of the hub element 1040 relativeto the rearward housing portion 1020 is permitted.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25E and 25F, whichare simplified illustrations of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 18A-24Cin respective first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth operativeorientations with respect to a conventional luer lock syringe.

FIG. 25A shows a conventional luer lock syringe 1300 having a male luerconnector 1302 about to be connected to the luer lock adaptor 1000 ofFIGS. 18A-24C. Prior to engagement of the luer lock syringe 1300 withthe luer lock adaptor 1000, snap-fit engagement between the forwardhousing portion 1010 and the rearward housing portion 1020, and morespecifically between mutually azimuthally spaced circumferentialrecesses 1238 of rearward housing portion, which receive correspondingprotrusions 1121 of forward housing portion 1010, retains the hubelement 1040, as seen in FIG. 18E, such that tooth portions 1164 on hubelement 1040 are generally coplanar with and in operative engagementwith teeth 1230 on rearward housing portion 1020, as seen in sectionalenlargement at View A in FIG. 25A.

Typically, clockwise-facing, radially directed locking surfaces 1176 oftooth elements 1164 lockingly engage counterclockwise-facing, radiallydirected locking surfaces 1234 of teeth 1230 of rearward housing portion1020, thereby permitting counterclockwise, from a forwardly-facingperspective, rotation of hub element 1040 relative to rearward housingportion 1020, represented by arrow 1280, but preventing clockwise, froma forwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hub element 1040 relative torearward housing portion 1020, represented by arrow 1270.

FIG. 25B illustrates initial forward axial displacement of syringe 1300relative to luer lock adaptor 1000 along axis 1001 such that the maleluer connector 1302 is in touching engagement with female luer connectorportion 1042 at a rearward-facing end thereof. The locking engagement ofrearward housing portion 1020 and hub element 1040 is unchanged fromthat described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 25A.

FIG. 25C illustrates clockwise rotation of the syringe 1300 relative toluer lock adaptor 1000 about axis 1001, as indicated by arrow 1270, suchthat the male luer connector 1302 is in full threaded frictionalengagement with female luer connector portion 1042 of hub element 1040.This rotation takes place without application of an additional forwardaxial force along axis 1001. This full threaded engagement is madepossible by the aforementioned locking of rotation of hub element 1040against clockwise rotation relative to rearward housing portion 1020.

FIGS. 25D, 25E and 25F illustrate counterclockwise rotation of thesyringe 1300 relative to rearward housing portion 1020 of luer lockadaptor 1000 about axis 1001, as indicated by arrows 1280, in an attemptto disengage the male luer connector 1302 from the female luer connectorportion 1042 of hub element 1040. This attempt is unsuccessful due tothe frictional engagement of the male luer connector 1302 with thefemale luer connector portion 1042 of hub element 1040 and due to thefact that the hub element 1040 is free to rotate counterclockwiserelative to the remainder of the luer lock adaptor 1000. It is seen inthe sectional enlargement at View A in FIGS. 25D and 25E that radiallydirected locking surfaces 1176 of tooth elements 1164 no longerlockingly engage counterclockwise-facing, radially directed lockingsurfaces 1234 of teeth 1230 of rearward housing portion 1020 due tocounterclockwise movement of the hub element 1040 relative to therearward housing portion 1020. As seen in the sectional enlargement atView A in FIG. 25F, following a 90° rotation of syringe 1300 and hubelement 1040 relative to rearward housing portion 1020, radiallydirected locking surfaces 1176 of tooth elements 1164 again lockinglyengage counterclockwise-facing, radially directed locking surfaces 1234of teeth 1230 of rearward housing portion 1020 and prevent clockwisemovement of the hub element 1040 relative to the rearward housingportion 1020 while allowing counterclockwise movement of the hub element1040 relative to the rearward housing portion 1020.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E and 26F, whichare simplified illustrations of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 18A-24Cin respective first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth operativeorientations with respect to a conventional luer lock connector.

FIG. 26A shows a conventional luer lock connector 1400 having a maleluer connector 1402 about to be connected to the luer lock adaptor 1000of FIGS. 18A-24C. Prior to engagement of the luer lock connector 1400with the luer lock adaptor 1000, snap-fit engagement between the forwardhousing portion 1010 and the rearward housing portion 1020, and morespecifically between mutually azimuthally spaced circumferentialrecesses 1238 of rearward housing portion, which receive correspondingprotrusions 1121 of forward housing portion 1010, retains the hubelement 1040, as seen in FIG. 18E, such that tooth portions 1164 on hubelement 1040 are generally coplanar with and in operative engagementwith teeth 1230 on rearward housing portion 1020, as seen in sectionalenlargement at View A in FIG. 26A.

Typically clockwise-facing, radially directed locking surfaces 1176 oftooth elements 1164 lockingly engage counterclockwise-facing, radiallydirected locking surfaces 1234 of teeth 1230 of rearward housing portion1020, thereby permitting counterclockwise, from a forwardly-facingperspective, rotation of hub element 1040 relative to rearward housingportion 1020, represented by an arrow 1320, but preventing clockwise,from a forwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hub element 1040relative to rearward housing portion 1020, represented by arrow 1270.

FIG. 26B illustrates initial forward axial displacement of luer lockconnector 1400 relative to luer lock adaptor 1000 along axis 1001 suchthat the male luer connector 1402 is in touching engagement with femaleluer connector portion 1042 at a rearward-facing end thereof. Thelocking engagement of rearward housing portion 1020 and hub element 1040is unchanged from that described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 26A.

FIG. 26C illustrates clockwise rotation of the luer lock connector 1400relative to luer lock adaptor 1000 about axis 1001, as indicated byarrow 1270, such that the male luer connector 1402 is in full threadedfrictional engagement with female luer connector portion 1042 of hubelement 1040. This rotation takes place without application of anadditional forward axial force along axis 1001. This full threadedengagement is made possible by the aforementioned locking of rotation ofhub element 1040 against clockwise rotation relative to rearward housingportion 1020.

FIGS. 26D, 26E and 26F illustrate counterclockwise rotation of the luerlock connector 1400 relative to rearward housing portion 1020 of luerlock adaptor 1000 about axis 1001, as indicated by arrows 1320, in anattempt to disengage the male luer connector 1402 from the female luerconnector portion 1042 of hub element 1040. This attempt is unsuccessfuldue to the frictional engagement of the male luer connector 1402 withthe female luer connector portion 1042 of hub element 1040 and due tothe fact that the hub element 1040 is free to rotate counterclockwiserelative to the remainder of the luer lock adaptor 1000. It is seen inthe sectional enlargement at View A in FIGS. 26D and 26E that radiallydirected locking surfaces 1176 of tooth elements 1164 no longerlockingly engage counterclockwise-facing, radially directed lockingsurfaces 1234 of teeth 1230 of rearward housing portion 1020 due tocounterclockwise movement of the hub element 1040 relative to therearward housing portion 1020. As seen in the sectional enlargement atView A in FIG. 26F, following a 90° rotation of luer lock connector 1400and hub element 1040 relative to rearward housing portion 1020, radiallydirected locking surfaces 1176 of tooth elements 1164 again lockinglyengage counterclockwise-facing, radially directed locking surfaces 1234of teeth 1230 of rearward housing portion 1020 and prevent clockwisemovement of the hub element 1040 relative to the rearward housingportion 1020 while allowing counterclockwise movement of the hub element1040 relative to the rearward housing portion 1020.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 27A, 27B, 27C, 27D and 27E, which aresimplified respective first and second side view, first and second endview illustrations and a sectional illustration, taken along linesXXVIIE-XXVIIE in FIG. 27D, of a luer lock adaptor constructed andoperative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the presentinvention and to FIG. 28, which is a simplified exploded viewillustration of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 27A-27E.

As seen in FIGS. 27A-27E and 28, there is provided a luer lock adaptor1500, which extends generally along a longitudinal axis 1501 and has aluer connection end 1502 and a port connection end 1504. The luer lockadaptor 1500 preferably includes a forward housing portion 1510 and arearward housing portion 1520, which are preferably fixedly snap-fit toeach other so as to prevent both relative axial movement and relativeazimuthal movement about axis 1501 therebetween. Alternatively, forwardhousing portion 1510 and rearward housing portion 1520 may be formed asa single integral unit. The forward-facing direction is facing to theleft in FIG. 27A.

Disposed within forward housing portion 1510 is a septa housing assembly1530 including a forward septum 1532 and a rearward septum 1534, whichare fixedly and sealingly retained in a septa mounting portion 1536,preferably by ultrasonic swaging of forward and rearward edges of thesepta mounting portion 1536. Septa housing assembly 1530 preferablyincludes a plurality of septa housing mounting legs 1538, each includinga forward engagement portion 1539, which are typically snap mounted ontosepta mounting portion 1536.

Disposed within rearward housing portion 1520 is a hub element 1540,defining a female luer connector portion 1542 at a rearward-facing endthereof and, at a forward-facing end thereof, defining a needle mountingportion 1544. A needle 1546, mounted onto needle mounting portion 1544,extends axially forwardly along longitudinal axis 1501 into forwardhousing portion 1510, such that in the absence of a port connection atthe port connection end 1504, a sharp tip 1550 of needle 1546 is locatedwithin the septa housing 1530 between rearward septum 1534 and forwardseptum 1532. As distinct from the embodiment of FIGS. 18A-26F, nocompression spring is provided and septa housing 1530 is axiallyslidably mounted onto forward housing portion 1510 via septa housingmounting legs 1538.

It is a particular feature of an embodiment of the present inventionthat there is provided a luer lock adaptor, here luer lock adaptor 1500,which includes a housing, here housing portions 1510 and 1520, whichdefine an axis, here axis 1501, and an internal luer lock element, herehub element 1540, the internal luer lock element being locatedinternally of the housing and being rotatably mounted thereto forrotation about the axis relative to the housing, in a manner whichpermits rotation of the luer lock element relative to the housing in afirst rotation direction about the axis and limits rotation of the luerlock element relative to the housing in a second rotation directionabout the axis, opposite to the first rotation direction, whereby thelocation of the internal luer lock element internally of the housingprevents manual access to the internal luer lock element for limitingrotation thereof in the first rotation direction.

Reference is now additionally made to FIGS. 29A, 29B, 29C and 29D, whichare simplified respective first and second side view, perspective luerconnection end view and sectional view illustrations of a forwardhousing portion forming part of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 27A-28,FIG. 29D being taken along lines XXIXD-XXIXD in FIG. 29C.

As seen in FIGS. 29A-29D, the forward housing portion 1510 comprises agenerally circular cylindrical main portion 1600 having a forwardcircumferential rim 1602 and a pair of opposite side cut outs 1604adjacent which are mounted a pair of oppositely directed port connectorengagement portions 1606.

Each of port connector engagement portions 1606 preferably includes aribbed finger engagement surface 1608, which is connected to aretractable port connector engagement tooth 1610. Each of port connectorengagement portions 1606 is flexibly mounted onto main portion 1600 bymeans of a flexible mounting arch 1612 which spans a corresponding cutout 1604. Manual pressing on engagement surface 1608 causes retractionof port connector engagement tooth 1610, such that simultaneous manualpressing on engagement surfaces 1608 of both of port connectorengagement portions 1606 enables disengagement of a port connector (notshown) from the interior of cylindrical main portion 1600.

As seen clearly in FIG. 29D, opposite interior surfaces of main portion1600 each define a septa housing guiding recess 1613 having a forwardstop-defining wall surface 1614, which limits the forward displacementof the septa housing 1530 relative to the forward housing portion 1510.

As seen particularly clearly in FIG. 29C, forward housing portion 1510includes a rearwardly-facing edge 1615. Adjacent rearwardly-facing edge1615 on a radially outward surface 1620 of main portion 1600 are aplurality of mutually spaced circumferential elongate protrusions 1621.

As seen in FIG. 29D, forwardly of an inwardly-facing circumferentialwall surface 1623 of the forward housing portion 1510 there are provideda plurality of recesses 1624, each having an inwardly-facing wallsurface which is disposed radially outwardly with respect toinwardly-facing circumferential wall surface 1623 as well as beingforward thereof. Recesses 1624 are each separated from inwardly-facingcircumferential wall surface 1623 by a tapered shoulder 1626.

It is appreciated that forward engagement portions 1539 of septa housingmounting legs 1538 are seated in corresponding recesses 1624 when theport connection end 1504 is not engaged by a port adaptor, such as, forexample a vial adaptor. Engagement of a port adaptor with portconnection end 1504 typically forces forward engagement portions 1539radially inwardly and rearwardly out of recesses 1624, over respectivetapered shoulders 1626 and into engagement with inwardly-facingcircumferential wall surface 1623.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D and 30E, which aresimplified respective rearward-facing and forward-facing perspectiveview, side view, forward-facing end view and sectional viewillustrations of a septa housing assembly forming part of the luer lockadaptor of FIGS. 27A-28, FIG. 30D being taken along lines XXXD-XXXD inFIG. 30A.

As noted above, septa housing assembly 1530 including a forward septum1532 and a rearward septum 1534, which are fixedly and sealinglyretained in a septa mounting portion 1536, preferably by ultrasonicswaging of forward and rearward edges of the septa mounting portion1536. Septa housing assembly 1530 preferably includes a plurality ofsepta housing mounting legs 1538, each including a forward engagementportion 1539, which are typically snap mounted onto septa mountingportion 1536.

As seen in FIGS. 30A-30E, the septa housing assembly 1530 is a generallycylindrical element having generally rounded respective forward andrearward openings 1627 and 1628 leading to respective forward andrearward recesses 1629 and 1630, which accommodate respective forwardand rearward septa 1532 and 1534. An open needle accommodating channel1640 extends longitudinally along axis 501 between forward and rearwardrecesses 1629 and 1630.

As seen particularly in FIGS. 30A-30E, forward septum 1532 preferably isan integrally formed element formed of a polymer, such as polyisoprene,and includes a relatively wide, rearward cylindrical portion 1641, whichis preferably seated in forward recess 1629 of septa mounting portion1536 and defines a rearwardly-directed forward septum surface 1642, anda relatively narrow cylindrical portion 1644, which extends forwardly ofrearward cylindrical portion 1641 and preferably extends through andforwardly of forward opening 1627 in septa housing assembly 1530 anddefines a forwardly-directed forward septum surface 1646. Rearwardseptum 1534 preferably is an integrally formed element formed of apolymer, such as polyisoprene, is of a disk like, flat cylindricalconfiguration and is seated in rearward recess 1630 of septa housingassembly 1530.

It is seen that septa mounting portion 1536 has a generally cylindricalouter surface 1647 onto which is snap mounted or otherwise secured aradially outwardly protruding circumferential band 1648 from which septahousing mounting legs 1538 extend forwardly. A pair of narrowprotrusions 1649 extend radially outwardly from circumferential band1648 for engaging septa housing guiding recesses 1613 and forwardstop-defining wall surfaces 1614 and thus limiting the forwarddisplacement of septa housing assembly 1530 in forward housing portion1510 and preventing the azimuthal rotation of septa housing portion 1530about axis 1501.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D and 31E, which aresimplified respective first and second side view, first and secondperspective end view, and a sectional view, taken along linesXXXIE-XXXIE in FIG. 31C, illustrations of hub element 1540. As notedhereinabove, hub element 1540 defines a female luer connector portion1542 at a rearward-facing end and a needle mounting portion 1544 at aforward-facing end.

Disposed intermediate the female luer connector portion 1542 and theneedle mounting portion 1544 is a radially-toothed circumferentialintermediate portion 1650. Radially-toothed circumferential intermediateportion 1650 preferably includes a pair of generally opposite,outwardly-facing circular cylindrical surface portions 1652 which areseparated by a pair of generally opposite circumferential gaps 1654.

Extending circumferentially into respective gaps 1654 and radiallyoutwardly from circumferential edges 1656 of outwardly-facing circularcylindrical surface portions 1652 are a pair of preferably evenlycircumferentially spaced, cantilevered toothed arms 1660, each includinga generally circumferential arm portion 1662 and a tooth portion 1664.

Tooth portion 1664 preferably includes a forward-facing surface 1666 anda rearward-facing surface 1668 parallel to surface 1666, acircumferentially and radially outwardly inclined surface 1670 whichpreferably extends perpendicularly to surfaces 1666 and 1668, a radiallyoutward-facing engagement surface 1674 and a clockwise-facing radiallydirected locking surface 1676.

Forwardly of radially-toothed circumferential intermediate portion 1650is a forward-facing flange 1678 having a forward facing surface 1680, anouter facing cylindrical edge surface 1682 and a rearward-facing surface1684.

Reference is now additionally made to FIGS. 32A, 32B and 32C, which aresimplified perspective end view, cut away perspective end view andsectional view illustrations of rearward housing portion 1520.

As seen in FIGS. 28 and 32A-32C, rearward housing portion 1520 ispreferably an overall circular cylindrical element arranged along axis1501 and having a forward end 1700, a rearward end 1702, a circularcylindrical outwardly-facing surface 1704 and a circular cylindricalinwardly-facing surface 1706. Intermediate forward end 1700 and rearwardend 1702 and extending radially inwardly of inwardly-facing surface 1706is an inwardly directed flange 1720 having a forwardly-facing surface1722 and a rearwardly-facing surface 1724.

Extending circumferentially and radially inwardly of circularcylindrical inwardly-facing surface 1706 forwardly of inwardly directedflange 1720 are a plurality of generally evenly spaced teeth 1730,preferably four, each having an gradually inclined radially facingsurface 1732 and a counterclockwise-facing, radially directed lockingsurface 1734. The radially inward extent of each of teeth 1730 increasescounterclockwise from inwardly-facing surface 1706 tocounterclockwise-facing locking surface 1734.

The arrangement of tooth portions 1664 on hub element 1540 and of teeth1730 on rearward housing portion 1520 is preferably such that when amale luer connector of a syringe or other element (not shown) is screwedonto female luer connector portion 1542 in a clockwise direction ofrotation from a forwardly-facing perspective, continued rotation of thesyringe in the aforesaid clockwise direction produces correspondingrotation of hub element 1540 in the aforesaid clockwise direction andcauses clockwise facing, radially directed locking surfaces 1676 tolockingly engage corresponding counter-clockwise facing, radiallydirected locking surfaces 1734 of two of teeth 1730 of rearward housingportion 1520. The aforesaid clockwise direction of rotation is indicatedby an arrow 1770 in FIG. 32A.

Formed on inwardly-facing surface 1706 are a plurality of mutuallyazimuthally spaced circumferential recesses 1738 which receivecorresponding protrusions 1621 of forward housing portion 1510 in a snapfit engagement of forward housing portion 1510 and rearward housingportion 1520, thereby providing both axial and azimuthal locking betweenforward housing portion 1510 and rearward housing portion 1520.

It is appreciated that, although in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-9Gand 10A-17F respective hub elements 140 and 540 are able to move axiallyrelative to respective forward housing portions 110 and 510 and relativeto respective rearward housing portions 120 and 520, in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 27A-32C, similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS.18A-24C, the above referenced axial and azimuthal locking of forwardhousing portion 1510 and rearward housing portion 1520 also axiallylocks hub element 1540 relative to forward housing portion 1510 andrelative to rearward housing portion 1520, but allows azimuthal movementof hub element 1540 about axis 1501 relative to forward housing portion1510 and relative to rearward housing portion 1520.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 31F-31I, which illustrate the relativepositions of radially directed locking surfaces 1676 of hub element 1540and corresponding locking surfaces 1734 of rearward housing portion 1520in four different rotational orientations.

As seen in FIG. 31F, in a first rotational orientation, radiallydirected locking surfaces 1676 of hub element 1540 are in a lockedclockwise operative engagement with locking surfaces 1734 of rearwardhousing portion 1520 and prevent clockwise, from a forwardly-facingperspective, rotation, as shown by arrow 1770, of hub element 1540relative to rearward housing portion 1520. It is appreciated that inthis orientation counterclockwise movement of the hub element 1540relative to the rearward housing portion 1520 is permitted.

As seen in FIGS. 31G and 31H, in a second and a third rotationalorientation, hub element 1540 has been rotated counterclockwise, from aforwardly-facing perspective, relative to rearward housing portion 1520,from the orientation shown in FIG. 31F. Radially directed lockingsurfaces 1676 of hub element 1540 are not in a locked clockwiseoperative engagement with locking surfaces 1734 of rearward housingportion 1520. It is appreciated that in these orientationscounterclockwise, from a forwardly-facing perspective, rotation of thehub element 1540 relative to the rearward housing portion 1520, as shownby arrows 1780, is permitted, It is also appreciated that limitedclockwise, from a forwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hub element1540 relative to rearward housing portion 1520, to return to the firstrotational orientation shown in FIG. 31F, is possible.

As seen in FIG. 31I, in a fourth rotational orientation, hub element1540 has been rotated by 90° counterclockwise, as indicated by arrows1780, from a forwardly-facing perspective, from the orientation shown inFIG. 31F. Radially directed locking surfaces 1676 of hub element 1540are in a locked clockwise operative engagement with locking surfaces1734 of rearward housing portion 1520 and prevent clockwise, from aforwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hub element 1540 relative torearward housing portion 1520. It is appreciated that in thisorientation counterclockwise movement of the hub element 1540 relativeto the rearward housing portion 1520 is permitted,

Reference is now made to FIGS. 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D, 33E and 33F, whichare simplified illustrations of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 27A-32Cin respective first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth operativeorientations with respect to a conventional luer lock syringe.

FIG. 33A shows a conventional luer lock syringe 1800 having a male luerconnector 1802 about to be connected to the luer lock adaptor 1500 ofFIGS. 27A-32C. Prior to engagement of the luer lock syringe 1800 withthe luer lock adaptor 1500, snap-fit engagement between the forwardhousing portion 1510 and the rearward housing portion 1520, and morespecifically between mutually azimuthally spaced circumferentialrecesses 1738 of rearward housing portion, which receive correspondingprotrusions 1621 of forward housing portion 1510, retains the hubelement 1540, as seen in FIG. 27E, such that tooth portions 1664 on hubelement 1540 are generally coplanar with and in operative engagementwith teeth 1730 on rearward housing portion 1520, as seen in sectionalenlargement at View A in FIG. 33A.

Typically, clockwise-facing, radially directed locking surfaces 1676 oftooth elements 1664 lockingly engage counterclockwise-facing, radiallydirected locking surfaces 1734 of teeth 1730 of rearward housing portion1520, thereby permitting counterclockwise, from a forwardly-facingperspective, rotation of hub element 1540 relative to rearward housingportion 1520, represented by arrow 1780, but preventing clockwise, froma forwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hub element 1540 relative torearward housing portion 1520, represented by arrow 1770.

FIG. 33B illustrates initial forward axial displacement of syringe 1800relative to luer lock adaptor 1500 along axis 1501 such that the maleluer connector 1802 is in touching engagement with female luer connectorportion 1542 at a rearward-facing end thereof. The locking engagement ofrearward housing portion 1520 and hub element 1540 is unchanged fromthat described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 33A.

FIG. 33C illustrates clockwise rotation of the syringe 1800 relative toluer lock adaptor 1500 about axis 1501, as indicated by arrow 1770, suchthat the male luer connector 1802 is in full threaded frictionalengagement with female luer connector portion 1542 of hub element 1540.This rotation takes place without application of an additional forwardaxial force along axis 1501. This full threaded engagement is madepossible by the aforementioned locking of rotation of hub element 1540against clockwise rotation relative to rearward housing portion 1520.

FIGS. 33D, 33E and 33F illustrate counterclockwise rotation of thesyringe 1800 relative to rearward housing portion 1520 of luer lockadaptor 1500 about axis 1501, as indicated by arrows 1780, in an attemptto disengage the male luer connector 1802 from the female luer connectorportion 1542 of hub element 1540. This attempt is unsuccessful due tothe frictional engagement of the male luer connector 1802 with thefemale luer connector portion 1542 of hub element 1540 and due to thefact that the hub element 1540 is free to rotate counterclockwiserelative to the remainder of the luer lock adaptor 1500. It is seen inthe sectional enlargement at View A in FIGS. 33D and 33E that radiallydirected locking surfaces 1676 of tooth elements 1664 no longerlockingly engage counterclockwise-facing, radially directed lockingsurfaces 1734 of teeth 1730 of rearward housing portion 1520 due tocounterclockwise movement of the hub element 1540 relative to therearward housing portion 1520. As seen in the sectional enlargement atView A in FIG. 33F, following a 90° rotation of syringe 1800 and hubelement 1540 relative to rearward housing portion 1520, radiallydirected locking surfaces 1676 of tooth elements 1664 again lockinglyengage counterclockwise-facing, radially directed locking surfaces 1734of teeth 1730 of rearward housing portion 1520 and prevent clockwisemovement of the hub element 1540 relative to the rearward housingportion 1520 while allowing counterclockwise movement of the hub element1540 relative to the rearward housing portion 1520.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D, 34E and 34F, whichare simplified illustrations of the luer lock adaptor of FIGS. 27A-32Cin respective first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth operativeorientations with respect to a conventional luer lock connector.

FIG. 34A shows a conventional luer lock connector 1900 having a maleluer connector 1902 about to be connected to the luer lock adaptor 1500of FIGS. 27A-32C. Prior to engagement of the luer lock connector 1900with the luer lock adaptor 1500, snap-fit engagement between the forwardhousing portion 1510 and the rearward housing portion 1520, and morespecifically between mutually azimuthally spaced circumferentialrecesses 1738 of rearward housing portion, which receive correspondingprotrusions 1621 of forward housing portion 1510, retains the hubelement 1540, as seen in FIG. 27E, such that tooth portions 1664 on hubelement 1540 are generally coplanar with and in operative engagementwith teeth 1730 on rearward housing portion 1520, as seen in sectionalenlargement at View A in FIG. 34A.

Typically clockwise-facing, radially directed locking surfaces 1676 oftooth elements 1664 lockingly engage counterclockwise-facing, radiallydirected locking surfaces 1734 of teeth 1730 of rearward housing portion1520, thereby permitting counterclockwise, from a forwardly-facingperspective, rotation of hub element 1540 relative to rearward housingportion 1520, represented by an arrow 1820, but preventing clockwise,from a forwardly-facing perspective, rotation of hub element 1540relative to rearward housing portion 1520, represented by arrow 1770.

FIG. 34B illustrates initial forward axial displacement of luer lockconnector 1900 relative to luer lock adaptor 1500 along axis 1501 suchthat the male luer connector 1902 is in touching engagement with femaleluer connector portion 1542 at a rearward-facing end thereof. Thelocking engagement of rearward housing portion 1520 and hub element 1540is unchanged from that described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 34A.

FIG. 34C illustrates clockwise rotation of the luer lock connector 1900relative to luer lock adaptor 1500 about axis 1501, as indicated byarrow 1770, such that the male luer connector 1902 is in full threadedfrictional engagement with female luer connector portion 1542 of hubelement 1540. This rotation takes place without application of anadditional forward axial force along axis 1501. This full threadedengagement is made possible by the aforementioned locking of rotation ofhub element 1540 against clockwise rotation relative to rearward housingportion 1520.

FIGS. 34D, 34E and 34F illustrate counterclockwise rotation of the luerlock connector 1900 relative to rearward housing portion 1520 of luerlock adaptor 1500 about axis 1501, as indicated by arrows 1820, in anattempt to disengage the male luer connector 1902 from the female luerconnector portion 1542 of hub element 1540. This attempt is unsuccessfuldue to the frictional engagement of the male luer connector 1902 withthe female luer connector portion 1542 of hub element 1540 and due tothe fact that the hub element 1540 is free to rotate counterclockwiserelative to the remainder of the luer lock adaptor 1500. It is seen inthe sectional enlargement at View A in FIGS. 34D and 34E that radiallydirected locking surfaces 1676 of tooth elements 1664 no longerlockingly engage counterclockwise-facing, radially directed lockingsurfaces 1734 of teeth 1730 of rearward housing portion 1520 due tocounterclockwise movement of the hub element 1540 relative to therearward housing portion 1520. As seen in the sectional enlargement atView A in FIG. 34F, following a 90° rotation of luer lock connector 1900and hub element 1540 relative to rearward housing portion 1520, radiallydirected locking surfaces 1676 of tooth elements 1664 again lockinglyengage counterclockwise-facing, radially directed locking surfaces 1734of teeth 1730 of rearward housing portion 1520 and prevent clockwisemovement of the hub element 1540 relative to the rearward housingportion 1520 while allowing counterclockwise movement of the hub element1540 relative to the rearward housing portion 1520.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited by what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present inventionincludes modifications and variations of the various features shown ordescribed hereinabove as well as combinations and subcombinationsthereof which are not in the prior art.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A luer lock adaptor comprising: a housingdefining an axis; an internal luer lock element having a threading, saidinternal luer lock element being located internally of said housing andbeing rotatably mounted thereto for rotation about said axis relative tosaid housing, in a manner which permits rotation of said luer lockelement relative to said housing in a first rotation direction aboutsaid axis and limits rotation of said luer lock element relative to saidhousing in a second rotation direction about said axis, opposite to saidfirst rotation direction, whereby: the location of said internal luerlock element internally of said housing prevents manual access to saidinternal luer lock element for limiting rotation thereof in said firstrotation direction.
 2. A luer lock adaptor according to claim 1 andwhereby: an external luer lock element can be threadably locked to saidinternal luer lock element in frictional threaded engagement therewithby rotation of said external luer lock element in said second rotationdirection in threading engagement with said internal luer lock element,since rotation of said internal luer lock element in said secondrotation direction is limited, and subsequent to locking of saidexternal luer lock element to said internal luer lock element, saidexternal luer lock element cannot be threadably disconnected from saidinternal luer lock element by rotation of said external luer lockelement in said first rotation direction, since rotation of saidinternal luer lock in said first rotation direction is not limited andsince said frictional engagement between said external luer lock elementand said internal luer lock element causes said internal luer lockelement to rotate in said first rotation direction together with saidexternal luer lock element when said external luer lock element isrotated in said first rotation direction.
 3. A luer lock adaptoraccording to claim 2 and wherein said housing comprises a forwardhousing portion defining a port connection end and a rearward housingportion defining a luer connection end.
 4. A luer lock adaptor accordingto claim 3 and wherein said forward housing portion and said rearwardhousing portion are fixedly attached to each other so as to prevent bothrelative axial movement and relative azimuthal movement therebetweenwith respect to said axis.
 5. A luer lock adaptor according to claim 3and also comprising a septa housing portion disposed within said forwardhousing portion.
 6. A luer lock adaptor according to claim 5 and alsocomprising a compression spring which urges said septa housing forwardlywith respect to said internal luer lock element.
 7. A luer lock adaptoraccording to claim 1 and wherein said housing comprises a forwardhousing portion defining a port connection end and a rearward housingportion defining a luer connection end.
 8. A luer lock adaptor accordingto claim 7 and wherein said forward housing portion and said rearwardhousing portion are fixedly attached to each other so as to prevent bothrelative axial movement and relative azimuthal movement therebetweenwith respect to said axis.
 9. A luer lock adaptor according to claim 7and also comprising a septa housing portion disposed within said forwardhousing portion.
 10. A luer lock adaptor according to claim 9 and alsocomprising a compression spring which urges said septa housing forwardlywith respect to said internal luer lock element.
 11. A luer lock adaptoraccording to claim 9 and wherein said internal luer lock elementcomprises a hub element, comprising a female luer connector portion at arearward-facing end thereof.
 12. A luer lock adaptor according to claim11 and wherein said hub element comprises, at a forward-facing endthereof, a needle mounting portion and wherein a needle having a sharptip is mounted onto said needle mounting portion and extends axiallyforwardly along said axis into said forward housing portion, such thatin the absence of a port connection, said sharp tip of said needle islocated within said septa housing.
 13. A luer lock adaptor according toclaim 1 and wherein said housing and said internal luer lock elementeach include ratchet-type portions which cooperate to permit freerotation of said internal luer lock element relative to said housingabout said axis in said first rotation direction and limit rotation ofsaid internal luer lock element relative to said housing in said secondrotation direction.
 14. A luer lock adaptor according to claim 13 andwherein said ratchet-type portions include at least one toothed edgeformed on said housing and at least one toothed edge formed on saidinternal luer lock element, said at least one toothed edge formed onsaid internal luer lock element being arranged to cooperate with said atleast one toothed edge formed on said housing for limiting relativerotation about said axis between said internal luer lock element andsaid housing in said second rotation direction.
 15. A luer lock adaptoraccording to claim 14 and wherein said at least one toothed edge formedon said internal luer lock element and said at least one toothed edgeformed on said housing each comprise a single toothed edge.
 16. A luerlock adaptor according to claim 14 and wherein said at least one toothededge formed on said internal luer lock element and said at least onetoothed edge formed on said housing each comprise a pair of toothededges.
 17. A luer lock adaptor according to claim 16 and wherein saidinternal luer lock element is axially displaceable along said axisrelative to said housing between a first relative axial position and asecond relative axial position and said at least one toothed edge formedon said housing and at least one toothed edge formed on said internalluer lock element cooperate for limiting relative rotation about saidaxis between said internal luer lock element and said housing in saidsecond rotation direction when said internal luer lock element is ineither of said first relative axial position and said second relativeaxial position.
 18. A luer lock adaptor according to claim 17 andwherein said at least one toothed edge formed on said housing and atleast one toothed edge formed on said internal luer lock elementcooperate for permitting relative rotation about said axis between saidinternal luer lock element and said housing in said first rotationdirection when said internal luer lock element is in any positionrelative to said housing between and including said first relative axialposition and said second relative axial position.
 19. A luer lockadaptor according to claim 13 and wherein said ratchet-type portionsinclude at least one radially extending tooth formed on at least one ofsaid housing and said internal luer lock element and at least one socketformed on another of said housing and said internal luer lock elementfor limiting relative rotation about said axis between said internalluer lock element and said housing in said second rotation direction.20. A luer lock adaptor according to claim 19 and wherein said at leastone radially extending tooth is formed on said housing and said at leastone socket is formed on said internal luer lock element.